Alex Iafallo
DF 61 -> 73
SP 75 -> 78
SK 75 -> 78
From an article March 9, 2022 (and it isn't an LA homer take):
A relentless forward with elite defensive awareness...
Iafallo’s projected defensive wins above replacement – a metric that illustrates a player’s impact away from the puck in 5-on-5 situations – was tied with Patrice Bergeron and Marcus Foligno for first among all NHL forwards entering Saturday, according to Evolving-Hockey.com.
...he trails only Kopitar in short-handed ice time among Los Angeles forwards...
https://buffalonews.com/sports/sabres/e ... b6894.html
Alex was 2 takeaways short of Kopitar on the season while playing 2 less games and averaging over a 1:30 less EV TOI per game. For forwards with over 10 GP, he had the 2nd highest EV defensive zone starts (dZS%) on the team.
Only Kopitar (DF 77) and Danault (DF 72) averaged more SH TOI (only 0:04 more) than Iafallo among LA forwards.
As for speed...
Combined with his excellent support, positioning and detail, his speed and pacing aided his forechecking...
...suggesting an appropriate role in waiting as a responsible third-line winger who can contribute much-needed speed, pacing and secondary scoring...
https://lakingsinsider.com/2018/07/12/p ... n-iafallo/
As alluded to earlier, Iafallo isn’t s big guy, so he relies heavily on his speed, and that includes while he’s on the forecheck...
https://frozenroyalty.net/2017/12/17/alex-iafallo-line/
Erik Brannstrom
SP 73 -> 77
SK 71 -> 77
Brannstrom achieves a deep, 90-degree knee bend while keeping his back straight and torso over his feet for balance and muscle activation.
https://theathletic.com/870513/2019/03/ ... hockey-iq/
Brannstrom, the No. 15 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, was lauded for his vision and speed playing against mostly older players with HV71 in Sweden last season.
https://www.nhl.com/news/vegas-golden-k ... -290522674
In order to succeed in the NHL as an undersized defenceman, one must be an excellent skater. Brannstrom certainly checks that box. He has outstanding speed in both directions and gets up to top speed quickly, with great acceleration. Brannstrom has an excellent stride, and his strong lower body gives him a lot of power. He is able to fight through checks, and is tough to knock off the puck. He also has very good edge work and agility. Brannstrom can use subtle moves and shifts to get past forecheckers and start the transition game.
https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/201 ... -draft-30/
Trevor Moore
DF 58 -> 68
SP 73 -> 77
SK 69 -> 75
On a team with an identity of solid two-way play, Trevor Moore averaged over a minute of PK time per game (1:13). He had the highest CF%Rel on the PK for the Kings among skaters that played half the season, and notched 5 goals and 6 points while on the PK - tying for the league lead in both categories. He also finished 5th on the team in takeaways.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/100 ... -23-season
...he knew how to create plays using those quick and agile edges, as well as his powerful and effective puck handling and movement skills.
https://hockeyroyalty.com/2022/04/25/la ... vor-moore/
His speed is his best asset, using that trait to get in position to score timely, important goals.
https://hockeyroyalty.com/2022/05/17/gr ... t-wingers/
Trevor was also voted the Best Defensive Player on the team by the media.
https://lakingsinsider.com/2022/04/30/l ... am-awards/
Cole Sillinger (rookie)
DF 37 -> 64
SP 72 -> 75
SK 74 -> 76
I pulled all forwards from
https://www.hockey-reference.com/ for last season along with short-handed ice time. Then I matched to forwards in GVFHL. Here are the results:
All forwards with PK time - average defense in GVFHL: 55
All forwards with PK time - median defense in GVFHL: 59
When removing the noise of line changes:
Forwards with more than 10 seconds of PK time per game - average defense in GVFHL: 57
Forwards with more than 10 seconds of PK time per game - median defense in GVFHL: 60
Cole averaged 0:25 of SH TOI last season as a rookie. Getting any PK time at all as a rookie tells me there's a lot of defensive skill here. For reference, only 7 players from the 2021 draft played last season and only two saw more than 10 games - Sillinger (79) and Janis Moser (43).
The conventional wisdom with young players is that the offense comes long before the defense, and it can take years to earn the trust needed to play in key situations like the penalty kill. Sillinger is bucking that trend early in his career and earning Larsen's trust faster than anyone anticipated — even Larsen himself.
https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/n ... 193511002/
Defensively, he finished 3rd among rookie forwards with 43 blocked shots and 13th among that same group of players with 24 takeaways.
https://www.1stohiobattery.com/columbus ... -sillinger
...and Sillinger led the Blue Jackets in individual scoring chances per 60 minutes at 5-on-5, per Natural Stat Trick. On top of that, he was lauded throughout the year for his effort and defensive knowledge, putting himself in the right spot to make plays in all three zones.
https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/bl ... -335322606
...Sillinger’s straight-line speed is average at worst, and he is both deceptive and rapid with his directional changes in traffic, especially during zone entries. His balance is outstanding and helps him load up a hammer blow towards the net in spite of being draped by opposing pressure. If Sillinger’s skating was problematic, it didn’t impact his ability to generate a high volume of shots and torch defensemen and goalies in two premier junior circuits known for defense and goaltending.
https://www.thedraftanalyst.com/2021-nh ... sillinger/
Sillinger has good agility and edgework. He can make quick changes in direction and get away from defenders both with and without the puck.
His lateral agility and hands allow him to move laterally to open up shooting lanes. Sillinger is a smart player who can also take on the role of playmaker. His agility and hands also help him to open passing lanes.
https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/202 ... ng-report/
Once he gets going, his straight-line speed is solid...
...his in-zone agility is excellent, and he’s shown improvement in technique year-over-year which is a testament to his work ethic.
https://www.secondcityhockey.com/2021/7 ... highlights
