When Mark Yannetti visits Kings Of The Podcast, he is consistently ranked among the best guests based on fan feedback.

His answers are incredibly thorough and insightful, making him one of the most open and educational sports executives.

Over the past 18 years, Yannetti has been a key figure in the LA Kings' scouting groups, focusing on NHL prospects.

As the current Director of Amateur Scouting, he is considered one of the most knowledgeable people in the game.

His recent 75+ minute interview was filled with valuable insights and behind-the-scenes information.

Although it's too much to transcribe in full, we'll share some highlights over the next few weeks.

First, let's discuss a trending topic in the league this month.

After the Kings won their championships in 2012 and 2014, many clubs shifted their focus to 'speed and skill' over size.

However, this trend seems to be reversing, as seen in this year's Stanley Cup playoffs.

Yannetti, speaking in his thick Boston accent, emphasized that 'size matters' when all other factors are equal.

He explained that while size alone isn't crucial, being big and fast is preferable to being small and fast or average-sized and fast.

He also noted that there's a difference between 'heavy size' and 'soft size.

'Yannetti expressed a desire to have a mix of players like Drew Doughty, Victor Hedman, and Darian Hatcher on the blue line.

He mentioned that the team has the skill and speed parts down, but size is also important.

The challenge is finding the right balance between size, skill, and skating.

He pointed out that when the Kings won their Cups, they were perceived as a big, heavy team, but their primary focus was on getting the puck up the ice quickly and regaining possession as fast as possible.

Regarding the draft, Yannetti believes in creating tiers of players.

Size becomes a deciding factor when players are otherwise equal.

He stressed that size alone doesn't guarantee success; it must be combined with other attributes like competitiveness and playing style.

He cited examples of big players who don't impact the game and smaller players who play like bigger, heavier players.

The conversation then shifted to roster construction in LA and the arrival of tall prospects like Andre Lee and Sammy Helenius.

Yannetti praised Lee for his physical, aggressive play and noted that both players complement each other well.

He also discussed the development of other prospects like Jared Wright and Kaleb Lawerence, highlighting their size and potential impact on the team.

Yannetti made bold predictions about prospects from the LA Kings' 2022 Draft class, stating that Kenny Connors and Wright have a high probability of playing significant NHL games.

He emphasized the importance of complementary attributes and team cohesion in building a successful roster.