Earlier this month, we saw another Trade Deadline pass. Many waited with bated breath to see who Kings GM Rob Blake would pull in to potentially help push Los Angeles toward another playoff appearance, and which picks and/or prospects would possibly be parted with in the process. The lone deal swing by LA was a 2027 third-round pick to Philadelphia for Andrei Kuzmenko and a 2025 seventh-round pick.
When it comes to the upcoming Draft, Kuzmenko the player is irrelevant. However, the acquired pick gives LA more capital to work with when they host the first decentralized Draft for f the modern era on June 27-28. Functionally, this event will be the same – the only difference is each team will be participating virtually from their home town ‘war rooms.’
As Mark Yannetti and his staff prepare for the historic occasion, they currently hold seven picks: one in the first, third, fourth, fifth and sixth rounds, as well as two in the seventh. We don’t know where they will pick quite yet, as the first round is determined by the lottery, regular season standings, and playoff performance. Then, 2-7 follow that order. Due to the high likelihood of Los Angeles making the playoffs, we’re going to assume the first pick will be 17th at the earliest. There are always options to trade up or down, of course; and as we get closer to the Draft, we’ll explore some of those scenarios in more depth. For now, we’ll keep it simple.
Every year, we discuss the adage of “best player available,” even if it doesn’t meet an immediate need. However, we also acknowledge the reality that, in the event two players are considered comparable in value, “need” suddenly becomes an x-factor. We add this caveat, because we don’t know exactly what the scouts’ draft list looks like, so to reconcile the unknown, we add a bit of weight to prospects who may bring more value to the cupboard they’re filling.
This brings us to our first profile for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. At this time, one of the biggest question marks within LA’s prospect pool would appear to be among left-handed defensemen. The pipeline currently boasts Jakub Dvorak, Angus Booth, Kirill Kirsanov, and Jared Woolley. As much as we are excited for all of these prospects, and with all due respect, there’s a level of high-end offensive skill that is currently absent in that side of any future pairings. So let’s take a look at one possible option, should the Kings choose to address it with a possible selection in 2025.
Cameron Reid
Vitals
Date of Birth: April 8, 2007
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 174 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Defense
2024-25 Season
Reid spent the entirety of the 2024-25 season playing for the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers. In 66 games, he has 53 points (14 G, 39 A).
’A’ Player
Despite still being a relatively young player (both in the league and on the team), the Rangers’ coaching staff trusts and respects him enough to be an Alternate Captain.
Not Just A Leader In the Locker Room
The Aylmer, Ontario native isn’t just someone coaches expect the players to look toward for guidance in the locker room – he is tenth in league scoring among all blueliners. Eight of the nine players ranked ahead of him are older and have already been drafted by NHL teams.
Prospect Parallels
Despite being very different players, Reid has a few similarities with LA’s current top prospect, forward Liam Greentree. They were both put in leadership roles at very young ages, and they are both willing to back up their words with their fists (despite standing 6-foot even, Reid has two fights this season). While being very highly skilled, both also produce quite a bit on special teams (i.e. Reid is tied for the team lead with 25 points – 24 power play and one shorthanded).
Rankings by Independent Scouting Services
Ranked No. 23 by Future Considerations. A report written on October 4 stated the following: “Reid’s ability to skate with speed and precision, combined with a great first pass, makes him a key player in transition, creating offensive opportunities for his team. He excels at curling around the net and making clean, strong passes when exiting the defensive zone, setting up his team for effective breakouts..”
Ranked No. 21 by Corey Pronman. “Reid was a big-minute defenseman for Kitchener and also played top-four minutes for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky. He’s a likable player in a lot of regards. He’s a smooth, powerful skater. He closes on pucks quickly and can get the play going up the ice due to his feet. He is average-sized but competes well. He makes efforts defensively and coaches trust him. Reid has strong enough puck skills and vision. He can create offense off the rush and from the offensive blue line, with flashes of high-end skill. The question with Reid is exactly what’s his NHL role? Is he truly a dynamic offensive player? I wouldn’t call him that. Defensively he’s good as a junior, but he’s not that big or physical so is he going to shut down NHL players? That uncertainty is why I can’t for sure place him in the league.”
Ranked No. 21 by Tony Ferrari of the Hockey News. “One of the most interesting risers in the draft class, Reid has been one of the most improved players since the start of the season. His mobility and passing ability have always been strengths, but he’s learned to use them to his advantage in all three zones. Defensively, he’s become much quicker to close his gaps down and his fluidity in changing direction and getting to loose pucks is a major advantage he has. Reid is an excellent transition passer, patiently drawing in opposing players before zipping a pass right by them. Offensively, Reid has begun to move around more often and use his feet to capitalize on vacant space. He’s become the kind of player you can rely on in almost any situation..”
See For Yourself
Here is a video of Reid playing against the OHL’s Niagara IceDogs:
Final Comments
The common theme everyone notices about Reid, either in articles or in viewing, is his mobility. He uses his edges liberally to carry the puck and escape danger. A general concern with players who are leaders, or even those with above average skill, is the tendency to try to do too much. For this left-shot defender, that’s not an issue. He complements his abilities with a high level of awareness and IQ. The puck is held on long enough to open a lane and to find a teammate, near or far.
Offensively, his shot isn’t elite. Yet he manages to quarterback the power play effectively with his puck distribution. Reid still finds open lanes to move in the attack, and even though shooting is a work in progress, the defending team still has to respect the threat he poses with his mobility.
On defense, there’s also a mixed bag. He has exceptional stick work, and his aforementioned skating ability allows him to catch up to threats better than others. However, due to his size, his strength and reach are quite limited. At the lower levels, this is forgivable. As competition gets tougher — and opponents are larger, with more mobile players who posses a reach attack — he’s limited in his ability to neutralize. Reid currently lacks the stature required to physically separate a player from the puck, and until he builds additional strength, his options of shutting down players is limited to his stick.
That being said, there’s a lot to work with here despite the questionable size. A good, smart skater who doesn’t make reckless plays and works within his means, while also boasting maturity coaches trust, is someone welcome in any organization. His overall toolkit, a long with being a left-shot, separates him from the rest of the prospect pool. And while the Kings typically have their stronger offensive weapons on the right side, keeping defensive rearguards on the left, having another option long-term isn’t a bad thing. Reid could even learn a lot from a player like Jordan Spence, who has figured out how to leverage his smaller body when challenging the opposition.
Chat with David: You can find him on Twitter @Davidenkness to talk more hockey.
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