The Los Angeles Kings have drafted 25 players over their last four NHL Drafts and of that group, none have yet to make their NHL debut. This is not necessarily an indication of the quality of the players they have added but it is a surprisingly long time to not have a single draft pick reach the NHL.
However, that could change as early as this season as there are a number of players that might find their way onto the ice for the Los Angeles Kings. These are three players among their recent draft picks that have the best chance.
Angus Booth (2022 4th Round Pick)
After a number of seasons in the QMJHL, Booth would spend the entire season with the Ontario Reign. He would play in 50 games due to missing time with an injury but finished with 13 points and a +/- of +6.
In a recent interview with Hockey Royalty, Booth talked about how he has been working on getting bigger so he can "win corner battles and play against those bigger players." He may still be a year away but depending on injuries this season, he might be called up for a game or two.
Jakub Dvorak (2023 2nd Round Pick)
Jakub Dvorak is another defenseman who saw his first extended run in the AHL last season. He would play in 46 games for the Reign and had four points with a +/- of -8.
Both Booth and Dvorak are left-handed defensemen and that is probably the bigger concern for the Kings right now. That helps their chances, but what sets Dvorak a little bit apart from Booth is that he has the size to play in the NHL as he is 6'5" and 203 pounds.
Liam Greentree (2024 1st Round Pick)
The first two players on this list would probably make their NHL debut if the Kings have an injury on defense and need depth for the blue line as a replacement. However, the player that has the best chance to make their NHL debut out of the last four draft classes might be Liam Greentree.
The reason being is that the Kings might try to keep him on the roster to start the season to give him a chance to gain some more experience at that level before heading back to the OHL. The Kings can have Greentree appear in up to nine games without it counting as a year towards his entry level contract.
Greentree was incredible last season in the OHL and finished with 119 points. If he can play well during training camp and the preseason, it would make a lot of sense for the Kings to keep him with them to begin the season in hopes of speeding up his development. This could set him up to be a full-time player with the Kings next season and start to make an impact.