The 32-in-32 Series is an annual event here at DobberProspects and has been condensed from two articles to one. The article will bring you: The highlighted team’s draft; insights into its off-season moves; looking at prospect risers, fallers and likely prospects to play NHL games; and of course, the writers’ top-20 prospects. Articles may be brought back when an important team update occurs, so check back because we plan to fill your hockey withdrawal needs all off-season!
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Read past 32 series stories here: https://dobberprospects.com/category/feature/32-in-32-series/
Make sure to check out the Los Angeles Kings team page here: https://dobberprospects.com/team/los-angeles-kings/
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The LA Kings are entering another season with one foot on the gas and the other hovering over the brakes. The window to compete is open, but the organization is still trying to figure out exactly what this version of the Kings can become. After another playoff appearance that ended sooner than they wanted, the pressure is beginning to shift toward finding the next wave of players who can push this team from playoff participant to legitimate contender.
NHL Draft Recap
Elton Hermansson, RW/LW – Round 1, #19 – MoDo Hockey / HockeyAllsvenskan
The Kings selected Hermansson 19th overall in the 2026 NHL Draft, adding one of the more intriguing offensive talents to their prospect pool. The Swedish winger brings a dynamic offensive toolkit, combining strong puck skills, deceptive hands and a dangerous shot to create scoring chances in a variety of ways. Hermansson is at his best with the puck on his stick, where he can manipulate defenders, attack off the rush and create space for himself or his linemates. He has a strong feel for finding soft areas in coverage and can quickly turn small openings into quality scoring chances. His skill level gives him the ability to make difficult plays look routine, while his offensive instincts allow him to consistently find ways to get involved around the net. Hermansson also has the skating ability to support his skill set, showing good mobility and the agility to navigate through traffic. The biggest question will be how his game develops away from the puck, as he can be inconsistent defensively and will need to become more reliable in his positioning and engagement. He can also force plays at times, particularly when trying to create offense through pressure. Hermansson is still a longer-term project for Los Angeles, but the offensive upside is evident. If he can become more consistent without the puck and improve his decision-making, he has the tools to develop into a top-six offensive contributor at the NHL level.
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Liam Lefebvre, C– Round 2, #46 – Cape Breton / QMJHL
Lefebvre split the season between Rimouski and Chicoutimi, putting up 32 goals and 59 points in 59 games before adding 12 points in 20 playoff games during Chicoutimi’s championship run. He brings plenty of bite to his game, leaning on his 6-3 frame to win battles, protect pucks and keep plays alive off the forecheck. His release gives him a legitimate scoring threat from different areas of the ice, while his skating has improved enough to keep him involved rather than simply playing as a net-front presence. The next step is adding more pace, particularly in his first few strides, to give his offensive game another dimension. Lefebvre already has a strong foundation built around his physicality, scoring touch and ability to play through contact. He will get another season in the QMJHL with Cape Breton before heading to Vermont, giving him time to round out the rest of his game.
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Adam Goljer, RHD – Round 2, # 49- HK Dukla Trencin / Slovakia
Goljer spent last season with Dukla Trencin in Slovakia’s top league, recording 11 points in 43 games while playing against older competition. He is an active defender who reads plays well and is comfortable jumping into the rush. Goljer also has the passing capability to move pucks efficiently and contribute from the point. Defensively, he plays a controlled game and uses his size and positioning to stay in front of attackers. The offensive upside is modest, but his ability to move the puck and activate gives him room to grow.
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Blake Zielinski, C – Round,3 #80 – Providence College / NCAA
Zielinski shows good puck skills and an ability to create through traffic, while his compete level allows him to stay involved along the walls. His offensive consistency remains the key development area as he works toward becoming a more complete threat.
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Yegor Rybkin, G – Round 3 #89 – Chaika Nizhny Novgorod / MHL
Rybkin gives Los Angeles a goaltender with intriguing tools to develop. Rybkin moves well laterally and shows good patience in his crease, allowing him to stay square through developing plays. His consistency and rebound control will need refinement, but there is enough athleticism to make him an interesting long-term project.
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Thomas Vandenberg, C – Round,4 #104 – Providence College
He plays a direct game, using his frame to protect the puck and create around the net. Vandenberg has shown flashes of scoring ability, but improving his skating and consistency will be important as he moves up the ladder.
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Vertti Svensk, LHD – Round 5, #145 – SaiPa / LiiGa
Svensk is comfortable moving the puck under pressure and shows good awareness when supporting the attack. His defensive consistency and physical strength remain areas to monitor as his game develops.
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Giorgos Pantelas, RHD – Round 5, # 153 – Brandon Wheat Kings / WHL
Pantelas plays with good energy and competes hard for loose pucks, while showing enough puck skill to contribute offensively. He will need to improve his consistency and decision-making, but his compete level gives him something to build around.
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Alex Kostov, RW – Round 6, #177 – Quinnipiac Univ / NCAA
He has good hands and a willingness to attack defenders with the puck, creating opportunities through individual skill. Kostov will need to become more consistent away from the puck and improve his pace, but the offensive tools provide an intriguing foundation.
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Tobias Krestan, F – Round, 7 # 209 – Eisbären Berlin / DEL
Krestan works hard away from the puck and is willing to get involved physically, giving him a useful foundation. His offensive game will need to develop further, particularly his ability to create consistently with the puck.
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Lucas Ambrosio, LHD – Round, 7 #223 – Eerie Otters / OHL
Ambrosio shows confidence carrying the puck and can help advance play through transition. He remains a longer-term project, with defensive reads and consistency needing refinement, but his mobility gives him an avenue to develop.
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Off-Season Moves
Incoming
Erik Haula – 2 years, $3.6 Million
Mats Zuccarello – 1 year, $1.0 Million – With up to $5.5M in performance bonuses
Corey Perry – 1 year, $1.0 Million – With $500k in perf. bonuses
Erik Gustafsson – 1 year, $1.0 Million
Scott Perunovich – 1 year, $0.85 Million
Lane Pederson – 2 years, $0.875 Million
Jan Jeník – 1 year, $0.85 Million
Elton Hermansson – 3 years, $1.075 Million (ELC)
Outgoing
Anže Kopitar – Retired
Andrei Kuzmenko – Pittsburgh Penguins
Kyle Burroughs – Dallas Stars
Glenn Gawdin – New York Rangers
Mathieu Joseph – Edmonton Oilers
Jeff Malott – Anaheim Ducks
Pheonix Copley – Columbus Blue Jackets
Still Free Agent on August 19th
Jacob Moverare (UFA)
Logan Brown (UFA)
Nikita Alexandrov (UFA)
Re-Signed
Scott Laughton – 3 years, $3.5 Million
Brandt Clarke – 5 years, $7.4 Million
Martin Chromiak – 1 year, $0.85 Million
Francesco Pinelli – 1 year, $0.85 Million
Aatu Jämsen – 1 year, $0.85 Million
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In the System
Risers
Elton Hermansson, RW
The Kings’ 19th overall pick immediately becomes the organization’s most interesting offensive prospect. Hermansson led the 2026 U18 World Championship in scoring with 12 points in seven games after spending most of the season against men in HockeyAllsvenskan. His puck skills, shot and offensive instincts give him legitimate fantasy upside. He will return to Sweden this season, with the Kings likely willing to let him develop rather than rush him to North America.
Henry Brzustewicz, D
Brzustewicz has done little to slow down his trajectory since becoming a first-round pick in 2025. He led London defensemen with 54 points in 59 games last season and has already signed his entry-level contract. His offensive instincts, skating and shot give him fantasy appeal from the back end, although improving his defensive reads remains important. He should spend this season with Ontario and could make his NHL debut before long.
Vojtech Cihar, LW
Cihar had one of the more productive seasons in the Kings’ system, winning World Junior Championship MVP before moving to Kelowna and scoring 31 points in 31 games. He followed that with 13 points in 12 Memorial Cup games. His combination of speed, skill and hockey sense gives him middle-six potential, while his ability to play center or wing adds to his NHL chances.
Jimmy Lombardi, C
Lombardi continues to make a case for a larger role in the organization. The 2025 fourth-round pick signed his entry-level contract during the season and earned an invitation to Canada’s World Junior Summer Showcase this summer. He brings good hands, offensive instincts and enough two-way awareness to project as a versatile forward. Another strong OHL season could put him firmly in the NHL conversation.
Liam Lefebvre, C
Lefebvre was one of the more intriguing value selections from the Kings’ 2026 draft class. The 6-3 center broke out with 32 goals and 59 points in 59 games between Rimouski and Chicoutimi before adding 12 points in 20 playoff games during Chicoutimi’s championship run. His size, scoring touch and ability to play through contact give him legitimate fantasy appeal.
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Fallers
Martin Chromiak, RW
Chromiak remains an interesting offensive talent, but his NHL path is becoming less certain. The former third-round pick has shown scoring ability throughout his development, but consistency has been the issue. At 23, he needs to turn his offensive tools into sustained AHL production and force his way into the Kings’ plans. His fantasy upside remains, but the certainty is fading.
Francesco Pinelli, C
Pinelli has become a difficult prospect to project after another season without establishing himself as an NHL option. The former second-round pick has the size and two-way game to contribute, but his offensive production has not developed as hoped. At 23, he needs a significant step forward to become more than organizational depth.
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Likely to see NHL action
Henry Brzustewicz
Carter George
Vojtech Cihar
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Top 20 Prospects
This section is intended to paint a picture of the LA Kings prospects whose current trajectory projects them making the most positive fantasy impact at the time that they reach the NHL. Arrival date and NHL certainty have been taken into consideration; however, potential upside is the most important factor in determining this list.
- Elton Hermansson
- Henry Brzustewicz
- Carter George
- Vojtech Cihar
- Koehn Ziemmer
- Jimmy Lombardi
- Adam Goljer
- Liam Lefebvre
- Jakub Dvorak
- Kristian Epperson
- Blake Zielinski
- Vertti Svensk
- Petteri Rimpinen
- Thomas Vandenberg
- Andre Lee
- Hampton Slukynsky
- Giorgos Pantelas
- Otto Salin
- Kenny Connors
- Francesco Pinell
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Make sure to check out the Los Angeles Kings team page here: https://dobberprospects.com/team/los-angeles-kings/
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Final Thoughts
The Kings enter 2026-27 with a prospect pool that lacks elite depth but has several pieces worth watching. Elton Hermansson gives the system a high-end offensive swing, while Henry Brzustewicz and Carter George provide upside on defense and in goal. Vojtech Cihar, Jimmy Lombardi and Koehn Ziemmer add further options up front.
The 2026 Draft added more depth, led by Hermansson, Liam Lefebvre and Adam Goljer. The Kings will need a few of these prospects to outperform their draft positions, but the system has enough NHL-caliber pieces to support the next wave of the roster.
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If you want to see more hockey talk, you can follow me personally on Twitter/X – @OwenHilsinger