Projecting Top-End Potential for Los Angeles Kings' Best Prospects

For most NHL teams, life without their top sniper would be tough, but that is not so for the Los Angeles Kings. 

In the wake of Jeff Carter being placed on injured reserve with a foot injury, the Kings called up Linden Vey and Tyler Toffoli. They, along with Tanner Pearson are three of the AHL's elite forwards and usually make up the Manchester Monarchs' first line. 

With that said, here is a look at the potential for each of the Kings' top prospects. 

Stats courtesy of NHL.com, theAHL.com and theQMJHL.ca.

Derek Forbort

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Best Asset: Size

Potential: Second pairing 

Derek Forbort is a solid stay-at-home defenseman who is often tasked with slowing down the opposition's top forwards. With age catching up to the likes of Willie Mitchell and Matt Greene, Forbort is the perfect fit to fill that void in a few years. 

At 6'4", 212 pounds, the 21-year-old uses his size to his advantage, playing a smart defensive game. He has great hockey sense, meaning he's rarely out of position, which allows him to make good, clean checks. 

Although carrying the puck up ice isn't one of his strengths, Forbort makes good decisions with the puck, whether that means chipping it high and out or making a long stretch pass. 

He's off to a good start in his first full season with the Manchester Monarchs, having notched seven points and a plus-eight rating in 17 games. 

Valentin Zykov

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Best Asset: Stickhandling skills

Potential: Top-six forward

Valentin Zykov is by far the youngest and most inexperienced of this group and therefore has the most work to do. However, the potential to be a top-six forward is there, he just needs time to develop. 

Zykov is energetic and determined, especially when it comes to creating chances in close. He's not afraid to go hard to the net or play tough along the boards. What he does need to improve on is his skating and defensive play. At age 18, and not yet playing professional hockey, he has plenty of time to learn. 

With 10 goals and 18 assists, Zykov currently sits tied for 20th in QMJHL scoring, with 28 points in 22 games. Keep an eye out for Zykov at the World Junior tournament, as he will likely be one of Russia's key players.

Tanner Pearson

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Best Asset: Shot

Potential: Second-line winger

Tanner Pearson has come a long way since being passed on in two consecutive drafts before the Kings selected him 30th overall in 2012.

The 21-year-old has bulked up, improved his play in all three zones and his performance in Manchester indicates he has a bright future in L.A. He notched seven goals and four assists for 11 points in 15 games with the Monarchs this season before being called up by the Kings. 

In his first game against the New York Islanders, Pearson scored his first career goal on the power play. However, he's hasn't made much of an impact since, playing fewer than nine minutes in each of his last two games. 

Given a few more games he should better adapt to play in the NHL, but solidifying a roster spot is likely still a couple years away.

Linden Vey

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Best Asset: Quick hands in close

Potential: No. 2 center 

Linden Vey finally got an opportunity to play in an NHL game this season. The 22-year-old was taken in the fourth round, 96th overall by the Kings in the 2009 draft and has spent the last two seasons with the Monarchs. 

At 6'0", 189 pounds he has taken strides to become a more well-rounded center. He has good passing abilities, great puck possession skills and an accurate wrist shot.

According to Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times, Darryl Sutter commented on Vey's NHL debut stating, "He played 7 1/2 minutes even strength. He had some trouble in his own end just about every shift." Although Sutter also added, "He was good when he had the puck."

Since then, Vey has had more ups than downs. He has three assists in six games and has played on the power play and penalty kill. This is a good sign that Sutter trusts the Saskatchewan native, who could earn a permanent spot on the third line in the near future.

Tyler Toffoli

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Best Asset: Offensive vision

Potential: First line

In recent years, Tyler Toffoli has been pegged as a player with top-six potential. Well, he's already proven he's a viable option on the second line, so perhaps it's only a matter of time before he takes a spot on the Kings top line. 

In seven games with L.A. this season, Toffoli has four goals and four assists for eight points and a plus-five rating. Three of his goals were game-winners, which has him tied for the second most in the NHL. 

Toffoli earned high praise from linemate Mike Richards, according to Lisa Dillman of the Los Angeles Times. 

"

He's just a natural goal scorer. He's kind of like Carts where he puts himself in the right situations and seems to find open space in their zone. I think he's getting more comfortable where at first he's a little bit quiet on the ice, which was tough to play with. Now he's starting to talk a lot more; now it's not just a one-way conversation.

"

With his hockey sense, determination, quick release and strong play along the boards, Toffoli could top the 60-point mark consistentl, once he earns a permanent spot on the Kings' roster. Not bad for the 47th overall pick in the 2010 draft.