Discover LA Kings prospects Kristian Epperson, Caeden Herrington, Brendan McMorrow, and Hampton Slukynsky shaping the team's future after Kopitar.
The LA Kings are neck and neck in the highly contested Pacific Division. With Anze Kopitar retiring at the end of this season, prospects, including some currently in the NCAA, will be given an opportunity as the lineup undergoes changes.
Erie Otters goaltender Noah Erliden stops a shot by Saginaw Spirit Kristian Epperson during an Ontario Hockey League playoff game at Erie Insurance Arena in Erie on April 1, 2025.Kristian Epperson: Forward, University of Denver. 2025 3rd Round, 88th Overall.
Relentlessly versatile. If those are the only words you read about Kristian Epperson today, then you will understand the way he plays the game. However, there’s so much more to Epperson’s game. After two seasons with the US NTDP, Epperson joined the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit and made an immediate impact. Epperson grew throughout the year while playing on a roster that included two 2025 top ten selections in Michael Misa and Zayne Parekh. On almost any other team, Epperson’s 83 points (27 goals + 55 assists) would guarantee him a top spot amongst his peers in one of the three offensive categories. However, due to the insane production of the aforementioned top ten picks, Epperson flew under the radar. I eagerly await his further development at Denver.
Caeden Herrington: Defenseman, University of Vermont. 2025 4th Round, 120th Overall.
I spoke about Herrington as one of the key next men up in my preview about the University of Vermont. Watching him on the USHL’s Lincoln Stars from the broadcast booth last season, I was not surprised to see him selected by Los Angeles. Herrington is a smooth skating defenseman who likes to get involved offensively through tape to take passes. His ability to wheel and deal with the puck is invaluable to whatever team he plays for. This is a guy that I absolutely see making the LA Kings roster at some point in his career.
Feb 7, 2024; Plymouth, MI, USA; USA s Brendan McMorrow (21) controls the puck against Finland during the third period of the 2024 U18 s Five Nations Tournament at USA Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn ImagesBrendan McMorrow: Forward, University of Denver. 2025 7th Round, 196th Overall.
The Waterloo Black Hawks ran the tables in the USHL’s Western Conference last year on their way to a Clark Cup Final appearance. Brendan McMorrow was a big reason for that playoff quest going so well. McMorrow’s motor never stops going, while keeping his head up to read the play coming at him. That vision led him to great success throughout the regular season, leading the Hawks with 24 goals. Denver is a very deep team, so he is not seeing top six minutes right away in his freshman year. However, with his energy, McMorrow could easily get on a hot streak and climb the line chart.
Apr 10, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Western Michigan Broncos goaltender Hampton Slukynsky (30) defends the net against Denver Pioneers forward Aidan Thompson (7) during the second period of the Frozen Four college ice hockey national semifinals at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn ImagesHampton Slukynsky: Goalie, Western Michigan University. 2023 4th Round, 118th Overall.
I ranked Slukynsky as one of the top sophomores in college hockey, and with good reason. Slukynsky stormed on the scene as a freshman last year, helping Western Michigan win an NCAA Championship. His aggression between the pipes and lateral movement have allowed him to win at nearly every level he’s played at, including a USHL Clark Cup, a World Junior Gold Medal and the of course, the NCAA title. We could see Slukynsky in a Kings jersey sooner rather than later.