With the Stanley Cup playoffs winding down, the NHL draft will soon take over.
For the Los Angeles Kings, that has been the focus for a few weeks now.
As we get closer to draft day, who the Kings might pick at 21 begins to come into focus.
The latest tool we have is The Athletic's most recent mock draft. It's worth noting this mock draft is what the writers (Corey Pronman, Max Bultman and Scott Wheeler) would do personally, not what they think teams will do.
Still, it's a good tool to help predict a pick.
In this mock draft the Kings end up taking Jett Luchanko, a center from the Guelph Storm.
Luchanko is an average sized center, currently listed at 5-foot-11, with fantastic skating and a high compete level.
The offense doesn't stand out with Luchanko, but he's a solid playmaker.
He's not the most exciting pick because of the limited upside, but the skating, defensive play and compete all make him a project able prospect.
There are some concerns that Luchanko would move to wing because of his size, but he seems like lock at 3C with the potential to become more if his offense improves.
If this was the Kings' pick in real life, I wouldn't be shocked. With just one pick in the first three rounds, the Kings could opt for a safer pick instead of swinging on big time upside.
Those swings will be available there too.
Someone like Liam Greentree a big, skilled goal scoring wing with skating concerns, Michael Hage, a rangy skilled center with compete concerns or Leo Sahlin Wallenius an undersized smooth skating defenseman could all be available.
The Kings maybe even take a big swing at Trevor Connelly, an immensely skilled prospects with big off-ice question marks.
Generally speaking, I'd prefer to take the big swing on skill.
Hage, who went at 17 in the mock draft despite Wheeler admitting he'll likely go later in draft day, would be my pick if available.
At 6-foot-1 with high-end skating and puck skills, the upside would be too much to pass up on at 21.
There are compete and consistency issues depending on who you ask, but if he hits you have a top-6 forward and potential 2C.