A look at the Kings’ best and worst first-round draft picks

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The Kings’ best first-round picks:
They had only two first-round picks from 1967 through 1974 and only one from 1975 through 1978, so there isn’t a lot to choose from.
The best:
1980 Larry Murphy, No. 4 overall: He set NHL records for assists (60) and points (76) by a rookie defenseman but was traded to Washington. Elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004.
2005 Anze Kopitar, No. 11 overall: He’s coming off a career-best season but must get more consistent.
2008 Drew Doughty, No. 2 overall: All he did this season, his second in the NHL, was win an Olympic gold medal, finish third in Norris trophy voting and earn second-team All-Star honors.

The Kings’ worst first-round picks:
So many choices…
1985 Craig Duncanson, LW, No. 11 overall: After a decent junior career, he fizzled in the NHL and played only 38 games in the bigs. He had three goals in 28 games with the Kings.
2001 Jens Karlsson, RW, No. 18 overall: He never signed with the Kings or played in the NHL.
2004 Lauri Tukonen, RW, No. 11 overall: He did well as a youngster in Finland but was slowed by shoulder injuries and spent most of his time in the American Hockey League. He was scoreless in five games with the Kings and was traded to Dallas for Richard Clune in 2008.

Kings last 10 first-round draft picks:
2009 Brayden Schenn, C, No. 5
2008 Drew Doughty, D, No. 2; Colten Teubert, D, No. 13
2007 Thomas Hickey, D, No. 4
2006 Jonathan Bernier, G, No. 11; Trevor Lewis, C, No. 17
2005 Anze Kopitar, C, No. 11
2004 Lauri Tukonen, RW, No. 11
2003 Dustin Brown, RW, No. 13; Brian Boyle, C, No. 26
2002 Denis Grebeshkov, D, No. 18
2001 Jens Karlsson, RW, No. 18; David Steckel, C, No. 30
2000 Alexander Frolov, LW, No. 20

-- Helene Elliott