The Los Angeles Kings and general manager Ken Holland wrapped up the 2026 NHL Draft by picking Erie Otters defenseman Lucas Ambrosio with their final pick in the seventh round (223rd overall).
With their final pick of the draft this weekend, the Kings snagged another developmental defenseman for the prospect pool, which continues a draft strategy by Holland and the front office that's built around adding long-term depth and sneaky upside across multiple position groups.
The LA Kings select Erie defenseman Lucas Ambrosio with the 223rd overall pick in the seventh round of the 2026 NHL Draft.
— Rink Royalty (@RinkRoyalty) June 27, 2026
2025-26 (64 GP):
-1 goal
-19 assists
-20 points pic.twitter.com/yy5my5lVOC
This draft class was probably the deepest on the blue line. Ambrosio doesn't have the same flashy skill set or name recognition as some of the top-tier defensemen in this draft class, like Carson Carels, Alberts Smits, and/or Chase Reid. But he still an intriguing defenseman who has some tools to help him potentially carve a path to the NHL in the future.
With an Otters team that struggled in the OHL this past season, Ambrosio got some additional playing time to show what he can do on both ends of the ice. He was a regular contributor on special teams on the power play and the penalty kill top unit.
The offensive production wasn't all that attention grabbing for Ambrosio this past season. But the numbers don't tell the complete story of how much he was able to contribute to the offensive side of the ice for the Otters.
Ambrosio is a good skater and puck mover, and he sees the ice well when breaking the puck out of the defensive zone. He's also a pretty consistent and reliable defender in a variety of different situations in the zone for the Otters.
The biggest issue that's been pointed out with Ambrosio's scouting profile is that there aren't any parts of his game that are really elite. That's what kept him from being picked in the early or middle rounds of this draft in what was otherwise a very deep group on the blue line this year.
By the draft's conclusion, the Kings selected players at every position group while addressing key organizational needs at center, wing, and defense. The Kings picking Ambrosio in the seventh round capped a draft class that did a nice job of balancing addressing immediate needs in the roster lineup with long-term upside, giving Los Angeles another intriguing addition to the prospect pool on the blue line.
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