2025 UFA Evaluation: Joel Armia

It's the start of a new season of All The Kings Men. Zach Dooley joins host Jesse Cohen to discuss the biggest storylines for the LA Kings heading into training camp for the 2025-26 season. Camp opens on Thursday in El Segundo with a lots of questions needing to be answered.

The LA Kings selected Brendan McMorrow (196th) and Will Sharpe (216th) in the 7th round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Brett Olson, Associate Head Coach of the Waterloo Black Hawks, joins host Jesse Cohen to talk about Brendan McMorrow's time in Iowa. Then Mark Yannetti (Director of Amateur Scouting for the LA Kings),Zach Dooley and Scott Wheeler join the program to discuss both McMorrow and Sharpe.

The LA Kings selected Slovakian forward Ján Chovan with the 184th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Finnish hockey enthusiast Andrew Epps joins the program to talk about Chovan's development path from Slovakia through Finnish junior hockey. Then Mark Yannetti (Director of Amateur Scouting for the LA Kings) and Zach Dooley join the program to discuss the Kings scouting process and the decision for Chovan to play in the CHL. Finally Scott Wheeler (The Athletic) brings an outsiders view of Chovan and shares his evaluation of the young forward.

The LA Kings selected Finnish goaltender Petteri Rimpinen with the 152nd overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Finnish hockey enthusiast Andrew Epps joins the program to talk about Rimpinen's development path through Finnish hockey. Then Mark Yannetti (Director of Amateur Scouting for the LA Kings) and Zach Dooley join the program to discuss the Kings scouting process and the decision to add Rimpinen to an already stocked goalie prospect pool. Finally Scott Wheeler (The Athletic) brings an outsiders view of Rimpinen and shares his evaluation of the young goaltender.

The LA Kings selected forward Jimmy Lombardi with the 125th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Paul Flache, Head Coach of the Flint Firebirds joins the program to talk about Lombardi's strengths on and off the ice. Then Mark Yannetti (Director of Amateur Scouting for the LA Kings) and Zach Dooley join the program to discuss the Kings scouting process of Lombardi. Finally Scott Wheeler (The Athletic) brings an outsiders view of Lombardi and shares his evaluation of the cerebral forward.

LA Kings goaltending scout Matt Millar joins host Jesse Cohen to discuss the Kings decision to sign goaltender Anton Forsberg. Forsberg played for the Ottawa Senators since the 2020-21 season and has appeared in 190 NHL games. He signed a two year contract with the Kings on July 1st.

The LA Kings selected defenseman Caeden Herrington with the 120th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Rocky Russo, Head Coach of the Lincoln Stars joins the program to talk about Herrington's strengths on and off the ice. Then Mark Yannetti (Director of Amateur Scouting for the LA Kings) and Zach Dooley join the program to discuss the Kings scouting process of Herrington. Finally Scott Wheeler (The Athletic) brings an outsiders view of Herrington and shares his evaluation of the right shooting defender.

The LA Kings have signed forward Joel Armia to a two year contract. Rick Stephens (Rocket Sports) joins host Jesse Cohen to talk about Armia's time in Montreal and what the former Canadien can bring to the Kings lineup in the coming season.

The LA Kings selected forward Kristian Epperson with the 88th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Mark Yannetti (Director of Amateur Scouting) kicks off the episode by talking to host Jesse Cohen and Zach Dooley about the strengths and weaknesses of the Wisconsin native. After that, Scott Wheeler (The Athletic) brings an outsiders view of Epperson and shares his evaluation of the young forward.

The LA Kings selected forward Vojtěch Čihař with the 59th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Mark Yannetti (Director of Amateur Scouting) kicks off the episode by talking to host Jesse Cohen and Zach Dooley about the strengths and weaknesses of the Czech forward. After that, Scott Wheeler (The Athletic) brings an outsiders view of Čihař and shares his evaluation of the young forward. Finally Amateur Scout Petr Jelinek joins the program to share his perspective. Jelinek recently joined the LA Kings as a scout after playing professional hockey in Czechia for well over a decade.