The Los Angeles Kings have done a good job getting their system up to par as they’ve rebuilt on the fly and have attempted to win again around Anze Kopitar. Outside of Brandt Clarke, there isn’t anything special in their U23 group, but they have a solid wave of secondary players on the way who can help the NHL roster.

2024 ranking: 21

2025 NHL Draft grade: B-

Player Ranking

1. Brandt Clarke, D

February 9, 2003 | 6-foot-2 | 201 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 8 in 2021
Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player

Skating: Poor
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Analysis: Clake didn’t play big minutes for the Kings this season, but he still was an important offensive player for them from the back end. There’s no doubting Clarke’s talent. Clarke has a ton of individual skill and offensive creativity. His ability to create chances through opponents or by showing blue-line poise to make plays is clearly NHL quality. The concern about Clarke mostly comes down to his skating and play without the puck. He’s a knock-kneed skater, and he can get challenged by fast pro skaters. Over the years, when he’s used his big body, he’s shown he can defend OK, but in the NHL, I didn’t see that player too much. Even if his skating holds him back somewhat, he’s so good with the puck that he should be a top-four defender who could run a PP1.

2. Liam Greentree, RW

January 1, 2006 | 6-foot-3 | 216 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 26 in 2024
Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Analysis: Greentree was one of the top forwards in the OHL. He makes difficult plays often with the puck as a handler and passer, and possesses high-end creativity. He competes well enough and can use his size to get to the net, although I don’t think he’s the type who is going to run players over. He can score at the net and is able to finish from the faceoff dots. The main concern about Greentree is his pace. He’s a lackluster skater, and his compete level isn’t high-end enough to compensate. The size and skill combo is so good that he could still be a top-six winger, but I could see him frustrating coaches at times.

3. Henry Brzustewicz, D

February 9, 2007 | 6-foot-2 | 194 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 31 in 2025
Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Analysis: Brzustewicz played a notable role on a strong London team this season, appearing at times on both special teams. He’s a tall right-shot who skates well and doesn’t shy away from using his feet to jump up into the attack. He’s a skilled and creative player with the puck. Brzustewicz can make plays through opponents, hit seams in the offensive zone and create offense on the move. Defensively, he’s reliable, using his length and feet to close on pucks and getting back to retrieve efficiently while also having an edge in his game. He’s been a sharp riser this season, a story we’ve heard often with London players developing well. I could see more offense coming from him with more opportunity.

4. Carter George, G

May 20, 2006 | 6-foot-1 | 190 pounds | Catches left

Drafted: No. 57 in 2024
Tier: Projected to play NHL games

Skating: NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average

Analysis: George was a top goalie in junior hockey this season. He was great at the World Juniors and in a couple of AHL appearances. George has a long history of great performance. He’s a very quick goaltender, with the twitch in his lower half to easily get across the crease. He often reads the play very well and squares up a lot of pucks. He checks the IQ, technique, compete and quickness to be a pro goalie. The only downside in his profile is his size. His 6-1 frame will be a question as to how he handles NHL shooters. The rest of the game is good enough that he should still be a backup in the league.

5. Samuel Helenius, C

November 26, 2002 | 6-foot-6 | 216 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 59 in 2021
Tier: Projected to play NHL games

Skating: Poor
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: High-end

Analysis: Helenius’ third season in North America went better than expected, with him ending up with the Kings for most of the year. He played very limited minutes, but showed some promise as a potential fourth-line center. He’s a massive forward who plays highly physical. Helenius is a likable player, but the debate is how much pure talent he has. He’s a limited skater without a ton of puck creativity.

Has a chance to play*

Vojtech Cihar is a well-rounded forward. He’s a good skater who competes well and has good enough skill and vision, even if the offense in his game doesn’t truly pop. Hampton Slukynsky has been very good since his draft year at the junior and college levels. He checks every box you want in an NHL goalie other than his size.

Jan Chovan, C

January 9, 2007 | 5-foot-11 | 190 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 184 in 2025

Vojtech Cihar, LW

March 29, 2007 | 6-feet | 181 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 59 in 2025

Kenny Connors, C

March 10, 2003 | 6-foot-2 | 207 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 103 in 2022

Jakub Dvorak, D

May 25, 2005 | 6-foot-5 | 203 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 54 in 2023

Kristian Epperson, LW

May 16, 2006 | 6-feet | 185 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 88 in 2025

Caeden Herrington, D

January 26, 2006 | 6-foot-2 |205 pounds | Shoots right | Drafted: No. 120 in 2025

Francesco Pinelli, C

April 11, 2003 | 6-foot-1 | 185 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 42 in 2021

Petteri Rimpinen, G

April 25, 2006 | 6-feet | 176 pounds | Catches left | Drafted: No. 152 in 2025

Hampton Slukynsky, G

July 2, 2005 | 6-foot-1 | 190 pounds | Catches left | Drafted: No. 118 in 2023

Jared Woolley, D

February 27, 2006 | 6-foot-5 | 207 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 164 in 2024

Koehn Ziemmer, RW

December 8, 2004 | 6-foot-1 | 203 pounds | Shoots right | Drafted: No. 78 in 2023

* Listed in alphabetical order

Player eligibility: All skaters who are 22 years old or younger as of Sept. 15, 2025, regardless of how many NHL games they’ve played, are eligible. Player heights and weights are taken from the NHL.

Tool grades: Tool grades are based on a scale with six separate levels, with an eye toward how this attribute would grade in the NHL (poor, below-average, average, above-average, high-end and elite). “Average” on this scale means the tool projects as NHL average, which is meant as a positive, not a criticism. Skating, puck skills, hockey sense and compete for every projected NHL player are graded. Shot grades are only included if a shot is notably good or poor.

Tier definitions: Tiers are meant to show roughly where in an average NHL lineup a player projects to slot in.

(Illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic. Photo: Juan Ocampo / Getty Images)