It seems the King's development appears to be on the wing.
In the past, the Kings were powerful down the middle, and in their cup years, their defensive corps was some of the stingiest in the league.
Under Rob Blake's tenure, the draft direction was towards regaining that center ice strength. Blake drafted many centers to supplant the old and bring in the new.
The Kings drafted Gabriel Vilardi, Jared Anderson-Dolan, Rasmus Kupari, Alex Turcotte, Akil Thomas, and Quinton Byfield in the second round or higher. Four of those players were first-round picks, two of which fell into the top five.
Each player spent time on the wing while a Los Angeles King. Some players listed are still playing wing for other teams.
The Kings elected to levy veteran-ready talent to fill the void at center post-Lombardi despite drafting a plan to build from the ground up. It seems the plan was overridden and rushed in a 'win-now' mode.
The Kings have only three players left of the center heavy draft group; only two of which consistently play game to game.
Byfield was thrust onto the top line a season and a half ago and started to produce. He did so as a flank to Anze Kopitar. Throughout the following season, Byfield stayed on that line, producing his best season to date (20g-35a-55p), and earning himself a nice new contract.
While Byfield has since been reinstated at the center, he hasn't exactly produced the same way he was as a top-line winger. He's developed some early-season chemistry with Warren Foegele and Alex Laferriere, so the team is sticking to that line.
Turcotte, on the other hand, was finding success at center this season. The Kings moved him off his line and thrust him on the top line, where he continues to play well.
The moves have helped the King's young centericeman develop and gain some confidence. Still, the moves back to the center have yet to materialize fully, even with their veteran franchise centerman's looming retirement.
Kings fans need not be reminded about Pierre Luc Dubois and Vilardi. However, a lesson learned is to stick it out with your center prospects, even if they get to blossom on the wing first.