LA Kings double down at center by selecting Blake Zielinski in third round

General manager Ken Holland and the Los Angeles Kings continued to emphasize depth and long-term upside in the middle of the lineup on Day 2 of the 2026 NHL Draft by picking Des Moines Buccaneers USHL center Blake Zielinski 80th overall in the third round.

The New Jersey native Zielinski becomes the Kings' fourth selection of the draft after LA picked Swedish winger Elton Hermansson in the first round (19th overall), followed by center Liam Lefebvre (46th overall) and defenseman Adam Goljer (49th overall) earlier today.

This pick shows that Holland and the Kings continue to prioritize adding more talent and depth to the prospect pipeline at the center position following the retirement of center captain Anze Kopitar. After already drafting Lefebvre in the second round, the Kings added more depth at center with long-term upside.

Zielinski is a high-effort center who plays with a great compete level on both sides of the ice. Along with his non-stop motor, Zielinski has a physical edge and a confidence to his game that allows him to command the play on both ends of the ice and with the puck on his stick in transition and the offensive zone.

In the offensive zone, Zielinski has a quick release on his wrist shot and he's got good hands in tight spaces around the net with the puck. In transition, Zielinski can use his underrated speed and vision on the ice to lead breakouts and odd-man rushes.

Around the net, Zielinski is effective at cleaning up loose pucks and rebounds in the crease and around the goal mouth. He is also a good net presence to disrupt goalies and create traffic in front of the crease.

His high-motor and confidence on both sides of the ice gives Zielinski real room to grow with his offensive game before he's ready to take his talents to the next level.

While he'll still need a couple of years' time to develop at least, Zielinski's physicality, instincts, and confidence give him an intriguing ceiling. Continuing to add to his frame and work on his two-way game can help Zielinski take the next step in the coming years.

The Kings have had success in this past decade or two picking forwards from Des Moines in the USHL, including former 2006 first-round draft pick Trevor Lewis and current LA forward Alex Laferriere. LA also picked Laferriere in the third-round of the draft in 2020.

With four picks now in the books, Holland and the Kings have addressed multiple different roster and organizational needs while adding talent to almost every position group. Zielinski might not generate the same type of headlines as some of the Kings' earlier draft picks this weekend, but he gives the team another talented center prospect to build for the future at the position.

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