The 2025 NHL Draft is finally here and will be held later today in Los Angeles. It will start with the first round on Friday night with Rounds 2 through 7 being held on Saturday. The Los Angeles Kings currently have seven picks, starting with the 24th overall pick in the first round.
This will be the first big test for general manager Ken Holland as he has been in the role for less than two months. He was hired after the Kings and long-time general manager Rob Blake mutually agreed to go their separate ways.
For the Kings, it seems like all options are on the table for them from trading their pick for an NHL player, moving back in the first round or making their scheduled selection. At the back half of the first round, it certainly gets tougher as a lot can happen before their selection and players who weren't expected to be there could fall.
While it is impossible to predict who those players might be, these are five players that are realistic options for them in the first round.
6. Benjamin Kindel (Right Wing)
Benjamin Kindel is electric with the puck and is a playmaker in every sense of the word. This past season with the Calgary Hitmen, he had 35 goals and 64 assists. The Kings certainly could use that as they don't have many dynamic forwards among their prospects outside of Liam Greentree.
The reason that Kindel isn't higher is that he is not that big at only 5'10" and it seems like the Kings are trending more towards bigger forwards that can help on the forecheck. The offensive skillset is undeniable and if the other players are gone and the Kings potentially trade back, Kindel could be the pick.