The Los Angeles Kings' Problems at Left Wing

Left wing has always been a weak position in the NHL, yet for the Los Angeles Kings, it has been more or less a failure. They have failed to groom some young left wingers into bona fide NHL regulars, and they have failed to get depth at that position.

Those depth problems have continued as they have been unable to draft the proper left wingers in order to fill the gaps in their depth chart.

But nonetheless, here are the top left wing prospects for the LA Kings:

Matt Moulson- LW, 11/1/1983, Signed as free agent in 2006, Manchester Monarchs (AHL)

Moulson, signed by Los Angeles in the 2006 offseason, seems to be stuck between a rock and a hard place.  Or, should I say, between the NHL and AHL.  He has been a point per game player in the AHL since the beginning of the 2007-2008 season, yet both times he was called up to the NHL, he failed to perform the way the Kings’ organization expected.

Matt Moulson is a very impressive hockey player with the intelligence to play in the NHL.  He has great speed, and he can pass like some of the top players in the NHL.  Being 6’1" and 205 pounds also helps when he has the puck, as opponents have trouble knocking him off of the disc.

The only downside to Moulson is the fact that at 25-years-old, there most likely will not be any more improvement, so one more failed stint in the NHL may be the end for him.

Verdict: Moulson has the talent to be on a second or third line on the Kings, as being a scoring left winger is a rare thing in the NHL (unless your name is Alex Ovechkin).  However, he only has one more chance to do it.

Scott Parse- LW, 9/5/1984, Sixth round pick (174th overall) in 2004, Grand Rapids (AHL), Manchester Monarchs (AHL), Reading Royals (ECHL)

Parse is a talented player, but ever since he turned pro in 2007, he has failed to perform, and has failed to meet the expectations placed on him by the Los Angeles Kings’ organization.  He is a great passer and has great hand-eye coordination.  Passionate, opportunistic, and physical when he needs to be, Parse knows what it takes to be a hockey player.

In his stints with the Manchester Monarchs, though, he only managed to put up three points in 14 games, ultimately ending in his being sent down to the ECHL.  This year, he has already scored 26 points in 31 games with the Monarchs, and has been given a slight look by the Kings’ management.  However, he seems to be a bit far away from being called up.

Parse seems to have trouble playing a two-way game, as he does not backcheck very well or very often.  Injuries this season has also lowered his stock.

Verdict: At 24-years-old, he does not seem like he will improve too much more, and will most likely remain a career AHL player.

Geordie Wudrick-LW, 4/9/1990, Third round pick (88th overall) in 2008, Swift Current Broncos (WHL)

Already establishing himself as a fairly good offensive producer in the WHL, Geordie Wudrick has some good potential to become a depth NHL player.  He is a great puck handler, and is very confident when doing so.  He is extremely aggressive, and at 6’2" and 204 pounds, he has no reason not to be.  Wudrick will skate through traffic to get to the net in attempts to score.

Verdict: Wudrik will not make the NHL, but could wind up being a career AHL or ECHL player.

Constantin Braun- LW, 3/11/1988, Sixth round pick (164th overall) in 2006, Berlin (DEL)

Constantin Braun is the archetypal Los Angeles left wing prospect; namely, he needs a lot of work.  He is a tall kid who will work in the corners and push people around, yet he is not the best skater.  He is not developing very well in Germany, and probably should have started playing major junior hockey in North America after he was drafted.  He does not score many points, and although he played well in the World Juniors, scoring six points in five games, he has not performed consistently throughout his career.

Verdict: Braun will be staying in Europe for his hockey career.

Richard Clune- LW, 4/25/1987, Traded by Dallas in 2008, Iowa Chops (AHL), Idaho Statesmen (AHL)

Clune is a good forward who has pretty good skating ability.  Despite being somewhat small at 5’11", he uses his size well, and can muscle his way through opposing teams.  In the OHL, he was able to maintain a fairly good points output, yet ever since he turned pro, he has failed to perform offensively.  He still needs to work on his competitiveness and his intensity, as he seems to be skating at half speed at times.

Verdict: Clune will be a career minor league player.

Next up: Right wingers!

Alan Bass is a Senior Writer for Bleacher Report and the Community Leader for the NHL and Philadelphia Flyers’ section; a writer for TheHockeyWriters.com, Prohockeynews.com and Insidehockey.com, he is also the co-host of NHL 2Day, a weekly radio show on Youcastr.com.  You can contact him at ALN424@aol.com.

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