Entering the 2019 NHL Draft, the Los Angeles Kings had the second-best odds overall to win the first overall pick after finishing with the second-lowest point total. Unfortunately, that year they would fall three spots after the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks would all move ahead of them.
In that draft class, the top prospect was Jack Hughes and has turned out to be an excellent selection for the Devils. He has averaged a point per game over the past four seasons, including a career-high 99 during the 2022-23 season. Hughes also has been selected to the All-Star Game twice in his career.
For the Kings, they would select Alex Turcotte with the fifth overall pick and he just completed his first full season in the NHL and had 25 points in 68 games.
What if the LA Kings won the lottery and selected Jack Hughes?
The selection of Jack Hughes would have sent the franchise on a different trajectory and they probably would have won at least one of their last first-round series against the Oilers. Hughes probably would have been on the second line behind Anze Kopitar at center but would have been an added offensive boost that would help them compete within the division.
There also would have been impacts in later years as the Kings probably would not have selected Quinton Byfield second overall in the 2020 NHL Draft. Instead, they might have looked at a different position like a wing in Tim Stutzle or Lucas Raymond or a defenseman like Jake Sanderson.
The pick of Quinton Byfield was not a bad selection and he looks to be on the verge of a breakout season with the way he finished last season. However, there is no question that Jack Hughes could have been an immediate help for this team and probably would have given them more playoff success over the past few years.