LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Kings have signed forwards Tyler Toffoli and Jordan Weal to three-year entry level contracts, Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi announced today.
Toffoli, who turns 19 on Sunday, was selected by the Kings in the second round (47th overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, which was held at STAPLES Center. He has played the past three seasons with the Ottawa 67’s of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and this past season he recorded 108 points (tied for first in the OHL) – including a league-leading 57 goals – and 33 penalty minutes while recording a plus-44 rating in 68 regular season games. He also played in four playoff games this season with the 67’s, recording eight points (3-5=8), and he has played in the first three games of the playoffs for the Manchester Monarchs, the Kings’ primary American Hockey League affiliate, recording one goal to date.
A 6-1, 183-pound center, Toffoli was born in Scarborough, Ontario.
Weal, who turned 19 this past Friday, was selected by the Kings in the third round (70th overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He has played the past four seasons with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League (WHL), and this past season he recorded 96 points (tied for fifth most in the WHL) – including 43 goals, which were tied for ninth most in the WHL – and 13 penalty minutes while recording a plus-13 rating in 72 regular season games. He also played in seven regular season games this season with the Monarchs, recording one assist.
A 5-10, 166-pound center, center, Weal was born in North Vancouver, British Columbia.
Tyler Toffoli was supposed to be a 1st rounder.. Once DL saw him slip, he traded up in the 2nd and snatched him ahead of Colorado and Edmonton, who would've for sureeee grabbed him. Nice to see Lombardi not hesitate and react like that. Last year's draft was solid, Forbort, Toffoli, Weal, Kitsyn should all be solid contributers to our team in the future
Tyler Toffoli was supposed to be a 1st rounder.. Once DL saw him slip, he traded up in the 2nd and snatched him ahead of Colorado and Edmonton, who would've for sureeee grabbed him. Nice to see Lombardi not hesitate and react like that. Last year's draft was solid, Forbort, Toffoli, Weal, Kitsyn should all be solid contributers to our team in the future
I think I'm most excited about Kitsyn. I don't think he'll be the best of the four I just think that he'll be an asset because he knows how to put his big body infront of the net. Going to be great on the third line, would love if he had a few practices with Smyth, too. Think he'll be similar to him.
Where does this put us in regards to the 50 contracts? Are both going back to Junior?
Yeah, they're both still junior eligible, I think. So it's either LA or Regina/Ottawa for the both of them. They both still need some developing, I don't expect either to be in LA for another 2-3 years. Toffoli is more rounded out, just needs to work on his skating. His defensive game has improved drastically, I watched him last year before he was drafted and this year, it's crazy how good a player looks when he fixes up his flaws. Especially since he's been with the Monarchs, he just seems like a better 2-way player.
Regarding the 50 contracts, I'm not sure. You'd probably find that information at Quisp's website, he's always got information on that stuff: www.jewelsfromthecrown.com
Penner is in. Colten Teubert and Marco Sturm are out. We've got 47 contracts, of which 2 (Schenn's "under 20" contract, and Fransson's, who is playing in Europe) don't count against the 50 contract limit.
I just noticed that Pelech, Berube, Deslaurier, Vey, Roe and Turnbull all need to be signed this summer, or the Kings lose their rights. I assume that Berube, Deslauriers, Vey and Roe will get contracts. I don't know about Pelech and Turnbull.
I assume that Martinez, Lewis, Doughty, Simmonds and Moller will get new contracts.
And these players may or may not be back (either UFA or RFA this year): Handzus, Ponikarovsky, Harrold, Richardson, Zeiler, Mullens, Cliche, Clune, Zatkoff, Elkins, Meckler, Campbell and Holloway.
Schenn's contract will count against the 50 limit next year, so that's 46, plus four of the six currently unsigned players, that brings us to 50.
And that means that of the 13 names in bold, probably 2-4 of them will not be returning, depending upon how close to the limit Lombardi wants to be.
I'ma scream if Holloway isn't kept. Dude will be a good serviceable player.
I get the love for Holloway and that he will get a shot in the NHL eventually, but who does he beat out on the Kings' roster next season or in subsequent seasons if our young players continue to develop the way we hope they will. Maybe Holloway gets a shot as a utility forward with the Kings next season.
Tyler Toffoli was supposed to be a 1st rounder.. Once DL saw him slip, he traded up in the 2nd and snatched him ahead of Colorado and Edmonton, who would've for sureeee grabbed him. Nice to see Lombardi not hesitate and react like that. Last year's draft was solid, Forbort, Toffoli, Weal, Kitsyn should all be solid contributers to our team in the future
After one year, that is the most impressive crop of draft picks I can remember in my short years of following hockey.
I know he still has a lot of developing to do, but i think toffoli is the most exciting of the prospects for me. Hopefully he develops into a reliable 30-40 goal scorer for the Kings, and soon.
