Nikolay Prokhorkin is good.
The Kings called up 4 of their best prospects after a rash of injuries to start the month. That opened up some playing time for some guys down in Manchester. Who’s made the most of the opportunity in Manchester? The answer will surprise you.
Also, Nikolay Prokhorkin is emerging as one the Kings more talented prospects.
Through the efforts of hockey analytics heartthrobs Gabe Desjardins&Rob Vollman (among others) we are able to approximate a prospect's NHL equivalent point totals. Each league has different equivalency numbers which you can adjust according to a players age. Obvioulsy, NHLe has it's limitations, but it is a useful way to do a quick & dirty analysis. It is basically just a way to put all prospects spread out in various leagues on the same playing field so that you can compare them against one another. If you have any questions about the process, fire away in the comments.
- Nikolay Prokhorkin leads all Kings prospects not currently with the big club in NHL equivalencies. He’s registered 10 points in his last 10 games which boosted him 3 spots up the prospect ladder. Despite being 7th in ice time on CSKA Moscow, Prokhorkin leads his team in shots on goal. It also appears as though he’s gotten some significant time at center as he leads his team in faceoffs taken. His 13 even strength goals are 3rd best in the entire KHL. Prokohorkin is rapidly developing into one of the Kings best prospects.
- Jordan Weal has continued to be productive after taking over as the first line center for the Monarchs after Linden Vey’s departure. He has 10 points in his last 11 games. Here he is in a not-at-all awkward interview describing all the different ways one can score:
- Perhaps the biggest beneficiary of the all of the recent call ups from Manchester has been Nicolas Deslauriers. He’s getting a lot more ice time and is currently playing LW for the Monarchs top line. He has racked up 10 points in the 11 games since the call ups to Pearson, Vey and Toffoli. He also continues to lead the Monarchs in penalty minutes. Here he is picking up a game-winner in OT recently:
- Guelph Storm defenseman Zac Leslie has been absolutely unconscious recently. He scored 4 goals against Plymouth last Saturday. He followed that up with a 4 point game the following day against Kitchener. He leads all Kings defensive prospects in NHL equivalencies. He was named as the CHL player of the week for his efforts.
- Nothing particularly spectacular happening among goaltending prospects. JF Berube has finally gotten his shot in Manchester and has posted a 5-2-1 record with a .916 sv%. Patrik Bartosak is 5-6 with a .916 sv% with the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL.