The Los Angeles Kings and general manager Ken Holland wrapped up the 2026 NHL Draft by making 11 picks and giving the organization a significant infusion of young talent and depth across every position group.
Going into the draft, the Kings were looking to address organizational and roster needs, specifically by adding more talent and depth at the center position, getting more top-six scoring for the forward group, and bringing in more left-handed shots on the blue line.
From Elton Hermansson to Lucas Ambrosio, here's how every Los Angeles Kings Kings draft pick grades out
With the 2026 draft now in the books late this weekend, it's a good time to evaluate how the top picks in this draft class for the Kings fit within the organizational system and how Holland and the front office addressed various roster needs.
Here are the grades for every pick and for the overall draft class for the Kings for 2026.
Round 1, Pick 19: Elton Hermansson, W
ELTON’S A KING 👑@splitero | #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/Xca4HFT3Dh
— LA Kings (@LAKings) June 27, 2026
The Kings kicked off their draft class this year by selecting Sweden U20 MoDo Hockey winger Elton Hermansson with the 19th overall pick in the first round. Hermansson gives the Kings a truly skilled winger who has excellent stickhandling, great speed and agility, and a tremendous shot release.
Drafting for need, the Kings and Holland got a high-end talent at the winger position who could develop into a legitimate top-six scorer in the NHL in a few years with development of his game.
Hermansson projects as a legitimate top-six scoring winger, but the decision for the Kings to trade down and pass on other top forward prospects like Oliver Suvanto and Ethan Belchetz keeps this from being an easy A grade. We'll see if Hermansson reaches his ceiling, which would make this move look better in hindsight.
Grade: B
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