Kings, Ducks each claim four as draft ends; Kings trade for goalie Campbell
Defenseman Kale Clague reacts after being selected with the 51st overall pick in the 2016 NHL draft on June 25.
The NHL draft concluded Saturday in Buffalo, N.Y., with the second through seventh rounds, with the Ducks and Kings each choosing four players. In addition, the Kings acquired goaltending depth by getting restricted free agent Jack Campbell from Dallas for minor-league defenseman Nick Ebert, and they signed forward Trevor Lewis to a four-year extension. Lewis’ new deal is four years at $8 million, an average annual value of $2 million.
According to the NHL, 211 players from 12 countries were chosen over two days. Canada had 89 selections, followed by the U.S. (52), Sweden (25), Russia (17), Finland (14), Czech Republic (4), Denmark (3), Switzerland (2) and one each from Belarus, Germany and Latvia.
The Kings, who didn’t have a first-round pick Friday, used the 51st pick to claim defenseman Kale Clague from the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League. He’s 6 feet tall and 177 pounds and had six goals and 43 points in 71 games last season. He’s considered a strong skater and puck mover.
See the most-read stories in Sports this hour »
“He’s an excellent skater, high offensive IQ,” said Michael Futa, the Kings’ vice president of hockey operations and director of player personnel. “Lot of satisfaction being able to draft him at 51.”
The Ducks, who on Friday chose left wing Max Jones 24th and center Sam Steel 30th, on Saturday didn’t pick until the third round when they selected defenseman Joshua Mahura of Red Deer of the WHL 85th. Mahura missed most of the regular season because of a knee injury but returned to play 17 playoff games.
The Kings also drafted Swedish defenseman Jacob Moverare of HV71-Under 20 at 112th, center Michael Eyssimont of Littleton, Colo., and Saint Cloud State 142nd, and defenseman Jacob Friend of Owen Sound of the Ontario Hockey League 202nd. Futa said Moverare must work on his skating but “he’s an incredible defender” in the mold of Willie Mitchell in terms of getting his stick on pucks. Futa said he’s likely to play another season in Sweden.
Eyssimont “has a great offensive upside…He was one of those sleepier picks people probably were looking to take in the seventh round,” Futa said. Futa described Friend as “a kid who’s not afraid to muck it up…Plays hockey the way it’s supposed to be played.”
The Ducks’ other picks on Saturday were left wing Jack Kopacka of Sault Ste. Marie at 93rd, center Alex Dostie of Gatineau of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League at 115th, and center Tyler Soy of Victoria of the WHL 205th.
Regarding the Kings’ trade for Campbell, Futa said the Kings had a lot of rising prospects on defense and that Ebert could get a fresh start in Dallas. Futa said the Kings hope Campbell will be able to flourish with the Kings’ goaltending coaches and provide some depth for the organization.
Futa also said retaining Lewis “was a very easy process,” and that Coach Darryl Sutter strongly wanted Lewis to return.
ALSO
Ducks take Max Jones with 24th pick in NHL entry draft
Jackpot! Las Vegas is awarded an NHL expansion team
Twitter: @helenenothelen
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
