The Los Angeles Kings began Day 2 of the 2026 NHL Draft by strengthening one of the team's biggest long-term roster needs by selecting Chicoutimi Saguenees center Liam Lefebvre with the 46th overall pick in the second round.
After picking Swedish U-20 MoDo Hockey winger Elton Hermansson in the first round on Friday evening (19th overall), the Kings and general manager Ken Holland shifted their attention to picking one of the more productive and potent centers in this draft class on Saturday.
The #LAKings select Chicoutimi center Liam Lefebvre with the No. 46 overall pick in the second round of the 2026 #NHLDraft.
— Rink Royalty (@RinkRoyalty) June 27, 2026
2025-26 (59 GP):
-32 goals
-27 assists
-59 points pic.twitter.com/8aLa3Lit2o
Lefebvre enjoyed a breakout season in the QMJHL this past year, splitting the year between Rimouski and Chicoutimi while registering 59 total points in 59 regular season games.
To add to his success in the Q this past regular season, Lefebvre also registered a dozen total points in 20 games in the postseason en route to helping Chicoutimi earn the QMJHL league crown.
Lefebvre brings a major size advantage and physicality on both sides of the ice in the middle of the lineup for the Kings in a couple of years. At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, Lefebvre combines excellent size and frame with a good skating ability and the ability to win those tough puck battles on the boards to a Kings team that values versatility and defensive identity at the center position.
He is effective at shutting down and disrupting plays defensively before quickly transitioning the puck up ice. Lefebvre's bigger frame and overall strength allow him to win battles along the boards and create opportunities in transition for his teammates.
It's not a well-kept secret that Holland and the Kings wanted to add more talent and depth in the middle of the roster lineup early this offseason, following the retirement of center captain Anze Kopitar. Lefebvre will need at least a couple of years to develop before reaching his full potential in the NHL, but he does give the franchise legitimate offensive upside at the center position.
With many selections still remaining for the Kings on Day 2 of the draft, there are still many other chances for the team to add more talent and depth to the prospect pipeline. By getting Lefebvre, the Kings have started to address the most glaring roster need while getting a promising center prospect going into the future.
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