Grading every LA Kings pick from the 2026 NHL Draft

Round 4, Pick 103: Thomas Vandenberg, C

Another underrated pick at the center position for the Kings in this draft class in the middle rounds is Ottawa OHL center Thomas Vandenberg. Holland and the Kings traded up in the fourth round 10 spots to pick Vandenberg 103rd overall.

Vandenberg is a very skilled offensive center with the energy and compete level to round his game into a more versatile player than how he's profiled in this draft class. He is yet another valuable addition to the Kings prospect pipeline, helping replenish the franchise's depth in the middle of the lineup following Anze Kopitar's retirement.

Grade: A

Round 5, Pick 145: Vertti Svensk, D

Finnish defenseman Vertti Svensk might be the most exciting and polarizing blue-liner the Kings picked in the 2026 draft. Svensk is an exciting playmaker who can make a highlight-reel play happen every game he plays.

You never quite know what is going to happen when Svensk touches the ice each shift on the blue line. He possesses great offensive tools, and he is a great puck mover who can really drive the play from the point. Svensk will be a really unique find in the Kings' prospect pool defensively.

Grade: A-

Round 5, Pick 153: Giorgos Pantelas, D

The Kings were busy picking defensemen in the fifth round of the draft. After the Kings selected Svensk earlier in the fifth round yesterday, Los Angeles selected Brandon Wheat Kings blue-liner Giorgos Pantelas with the 153rd overall pick.

Pantelas is a really fluid skater and he is smart with the way he moves with and away from the puck.

Some scouting services and media members pegged Pantelas as a second-round pick in what is a really deep draft class on the blue line. The fact that Holland and the Kings were able to get him in the fifth round is a huge steal and shows just how deep this draft class is for Los Angeles defensively.

Grade: A

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