The Future


As I look into the future of the Los Angeles Kings, I have to admit that I am getting a little excited.  Last year's draft pics are proving to be legitimate pieces that may bring just what the team needs, scoring.

Before I go any further, I must admit that my resources are extremely limited.  I don't have the money or time (I have a job) to fly around the country scouting the young up and comers, especially since there simply aren't serious junior tier I, II, or NCAA Div 1 programs anywhere near Southern California.  However, there are highlight reels available, and stats.  One of the real drawbacks of stats and video highlights, however, is that they don't show some of the not so little things that NHL coaches demand from their players, like fore-checking angles and effectiveness, back checking, turnovers in the critical areas...etc.  While neither highlight reels, or stats, are enough to make prophetic predictions about how a young man will play in the NHL, they do tell us something about him.

Anderson-Dolan is a player.  In 2016-17, he had a fantastic year playing Major Junior hockey for the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL with 39 goals, and 37 assists.  If there is one thing the Kings need, it is a scorer.  Keep in mind, that this is different from a shooter.  A scorer finds a way to score in all areas of the ice.  Backing up his performance from last season, Anderson-Dolan demonstrated that his stats were no fluke.  In 2017-18, again with Spokane, he put up 40 goals, and 52 assists.  His game is doing what we would expect it to, trending up.

He doesn't have overwhelming size, at 5'11" and 192 lbs, but size in the NHL isn't a critical factor.  The beauty of this game, is that it's about what you can do with that size.  Anderson-Dolan is strong on his skates, and has sufficient speed and instincts to find space in the offensive zone.  He has quick feet that never really seem to stop.  Best of all, he has quick hands.  He doesn't posses Datsyukian handles, but he keeps defenders off balance and uses his quickness to create just enough space to get his shot off.

His shot isn't going to set any records for power, and probably isn't as pretty as Line's, but the boy, er...young man, can score.  He gets his shot off very quickly.  He doesn't need lots of time to wind up and rip it.  He gets it to his forehand and before anyone knows it, it is rocketing for the corner.  His accuracy appears to be legitimate.  One doesn't score 40 goals on open nets, and his highlights demonstrate a fair amount of shots that simply beat the goaltenders with pace and accuracy.

Anderson-Dolan brings what the Kings need, scoring.  His 52 assists demonstrate that he isn't just a shooter, and that he plays well with others, as all good little boys should.  I am looking forward to seeing both he and Vilardi get their shot at the big club, and maybe even catching a glimpse of them, hopefully on the same line, in Ontario.  That being said, I can't be the only one to think that Anerson-Dolan's presence in the NHL is incipient at this point.



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