Los Angeles Kings: Player Grades Through Four Games
The Los Angeles Kings are off to a good start this season. With a 3-1-0 record, the Kings will take to the ice in an attempt to solidify themselves as a contender in the Western Conference. Thus far, we have seen some stellar performances, as well as some weak ones. In this slide show we will go through the roster and grade each player based on his performance in the four game season.
This list will have been published prior to the Kings and Hurricanes game tonight at 7:30pm. Therefore, no performances from that game will be taken into account. For the purpose of grading players, only skaters having played all four games will be taken into account. The sample size is small already, it would be too hard to judge on two or three games.
Hopefully this solid play at both ends of the ice will continue. The Kings are going to need everyone to chip in if they want any shot at Lord Stanley's Cup this spring. Here's to a great season of solid play and exciting hockey.
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#3 -- Jack Johnson
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#3 Jack Johnson
Games Played: 4
Goals: 0
Assists 1
Plus/Minus: +2
Jack Johnson was never brought in to be an offensive dynamo like Drew Doughty. That being said, after last year's playoffs I think that Kings fans were hoping for a little more from this guy. However, he has played well in the defensive zone. He is surrounded by players that are getting the job done. I still think that we could see more out of Jack this far into the season. Hopefully the offensive play comes soon; the Kings could then be quite feared on the blue line.
Grade: B-
#6 -- Jake Muzzin
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#6 Jake Muzzin
Games Played: 4
Goals: 0
Assists 1
Plus/Minus: 0
For a young guy, Jake Muzzin has played really well. When Matt Greene comes back at the end of the month, most Kings fans will be wondering who will be out of a job. If Muzzin can keep his high level up play where it is, I don't think that it will be him. He has been solid everywhere on the ice. I can't say that I was expecting this type of performance from him. Jake Muzzin has definitely exceeded expectations for me.
Grade: B
#7 -- Rob Scuderi
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#7 Rob Scuderi
Games Played: 4
Goals: 0
Assists 0
Plus/Minus: +2
Rob Scuderi is the guy that every team needs. He plays well without anyone noticing him. When the Kings signed Scuderi, I was so ecstatic. Having a guy like him on a team of young guys is really going to help their development. This season, Scuderi is being his typical self. He is playing well in the defensive zone, shutting down opposing players. I don't think that we could ask for much more from Rob. He isn't expected to bring the offense. Therefore, I am incredibly happy with his performance this season.
Grade: B+
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#8 -- Drew Doughty
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#8 Drew Doughty
Games Played: 4
Goals: 0
Assists 1
Plus/Minus: +2
Yikes! This isn't going to be an overly positive review. Drew Doughty is supposed to be contending for the Norris Trophy this year. Why is he supposed to be contending? Last year we saw that Drew has the complete NHL game. He can score, defend, hit and skate really well. In my opinion he is one of the top three defense-men in the league. So what's happened this year? He hasn't been picking up the points at all. I pointed out in the preseason review that he was looking sluggish. Perhaps he's not in game shape yet. If the Kings are to go anywhere this year, Drew Doughty needs to perform well.
Grade: D
#10 -- Brayden Schenn
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#10 Brayden Schenn
Games Played: 4
Goals: 0
Assists 0
Plus/Minus: -2
I don't think that many people knew what to expect out of Brayden Schenn. At this point, it looks as though he is still trying to adjust to the NHL style. I think that the Kings will end up keeping him on the basis that his talent is undeniable. He is one of the better prospects that the Kings have. Because we didn't know what to expect, Schenn's grade isn't going to be terrible. Although, I still see a lot of room for improvement. Hopefully for his sake, he manages to make it work at the NHL level.
Grade: C-
#11 -- Anze Kopitar
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#11 Anze Kopitar
Games Played: 4
Goals: 0
Assists 3
Plus/Minus: +2
Los Angeles' offense depends on the production of Anze Kopitar. He is their go to guy. The problem right now isn't his defensive play (as it has been in previous years), it's the fact that he isn't lighting the lamp. That being said, he has put up some assists on a team that isn't putting up huge amounts of goals right now. The Kings are playing solid hockey overall; Kopitar is no exception. Hopefully, Kopitar can light the lamp tonight. If he can't get it going quickly, the Kings could be in trouble this season. He is the one constant on an otherwise streaky offensive line.
Grade: B-
#14 -- Justin Williams
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#14 Justin Williams
Games Played: 4
Goals: 2
Assists 2
Plus/Minus: +4
Talk about a great success story so far this season! As you may have read in another article here on Bleacher Report, Justin Williams has a lot to prove this season. Is there any better way to start than this? He is playing at a point per game pace and looks great on the ice. Hopefully he can manage to stay healthy. If he can keep this play up, Kings hockey will be much more exciting this season. I can't say enough good things about Williams right now. He looks as though he has regained the form that we saw from him last year early in the season while he was playing with Kopitar and Smyth.
Grade: A+
#15 -- Brad Richardson
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#15 Brad Richardson
Games Played: 4
Goals: 0
Assists 0
Plus/Minus: -2
He isn't expected to put up big numbers; but he is expected to produce. When Brad Richardson was re-signed this offseason I was thrilled. I thought that he would be able to build off his 27 points from last season. Thus far, he just hasn't looked like a true NHLer. I'm hoping that this is just like the Drew Doughty situation. Perhaps he came to camp out of shape. I'm not really sure right now. What I do know is that Brad Richardson needs to pick up his play if he wants to stay out of the press box.
Grade: C-
#17 -- Wayne Simmonds
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#17 Wayne Simmonds
Games Played: 4
Goals: 0
Assists 0
Plus/Minus: -1
Wayne Simmonds hasn't looked very good this season. Whether or not he is doing the right things on the ice, he still needs to produce. Four games without a point is a little bit worrisome for a guy who was counted on to produce when needed last season. He doesn't need to put up Ovechkin-like numbers, but he should be able to score 40 points quite easily. My only fear right now is whether last season was a fluke or not. I'm not saying he doesn't have talent, but perhaps he overachieved. I'm a little bit worried to be quite honest. Hopefully Wayne Simmonds can prove me wrong and get on the score-sheet tonight.
Grade: D-
#19 -- Kevin Westgarth
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#19 Kevin Westgarth
Games Played: 4
Goals: 0
Assists 0
Plus/Minus: -1
Now I'm not going to come out here and tell you that Kevin Westgarth is with the Kings to score points. He is here to be an enforcer. So you may ask what could be the problem? Well, Westgarth hasn't fought or enforced yet this season. I'm not trying to promote fighting, but when your job is to come out and be an enforcer, you have to enforce. If he isn't going to protect the stars on the Kings, and he isn't going to produce, perhaps there isn't a spot on this team for him.
Grade: C-
#23 -- Dustin Brown
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#23 Dustin Brown
Games Played: 4
Goals: 3
Assists 1
Plus/Minus: +3
Dustin Brown probably isn't going to be a point per game player this season. Right now, he is playing the best hockey I have seen out of him in a long time. He is hitting, scoring, skating hard and really just being a great hockey player. Terry Murray is seeing the same things that Kings fans are. With all the ice time that Brown is getting, his confidence must be sky high. I am really excited to see whether Brown can continue this great play. He is proving why he is the true leader of this team. I wouldn't hesitate to call Dustin Brown one of the most well rounded players in the league.
Grade: A+
#26 -- Michal Handzus
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#26 Michal Handzus
Games Played: 4
Goals: 0
Assists 2
Plus/Minus: -1
Michal Handzus is one of the best leaders in the league. He has so much experience. Another great attribute about Michal is his size. He is big, strong, and quick on his feet. This season we are seeing that he is going to produce. With two assists already, his offensive production is off to a good start. That being said, Michal isn't really in Los Angeles to produce offensively (it's just a great bonus). He is here to defend. He has done a good job thus far keeping shots to the outside and making it easy for Quick/Bernier to see the puck. I would just like to see his plus/minus statistic shift to the plus side.
Grade: B
#27 -- Alexei Ponikarovsky
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#27 Alexei Ponikarovsky
Games Played: 4
Goals: 0
Assists 1
Plus/Minus: +1
It was thought that Alexei Ponikarovsky would help replace Alex Frolov. Thus far, he hasn't done that. While Frolov had some trouble producing last year, it wasn't this bad. Ponikarovsky has to pick it up; there is no doubt about it. Perhaps he is just taking some time to adjust to Terry Murray's systems. I really hope that is the case because this isn't the kind of player you want to be spending $3 million on. It's not that hard to think that he will still achieve the 50-60 points that are expected of him. I remain worried.
Grade: C
#28 -- Jarret Stoll
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#28 Jarret Stoll
Games Played: 4
Goals: 2
Assists 1
Plus/Minus: +4
Jarret Stoll is playing great hockey; some of the best that I've seen him play in Los Angeles. He has been excellent in the face-off circle (I mean excellent folks) and he is producing offensively. Right now, he is playing as though he is one of the better second line centers in the league. If he can keep this up, the Kings have the opportunity to be one of the deepest offensive teams in the league. I can't wait to see Jarret play tonight. He is playing confidently, quickly and effectively. At this point, he is everything that a second line center should be.
Grade: A
#32 -- Jonathan Quick
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#32 Jonathan Quick
Games Played: 3
GAA: 0.97
Save Percentage: 0.963
Boy has Jon Quick been good. He is playing so well right now. Is there a goalie who is playing better in the league right now? Personally, I don't think so. He has shut down the offensive giant of the Canucks, and played really well against the Thrashers. I'm not sure that I have seen a better goal-tending performance in Los Angeles in a long time. Everyone remember the days of Cloutier? Well those days are over. Jon Quick has been this team's savior so far. Hopefully this god-like play can continue!
Grade: A++
#33 -- Willie Mitchell
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#33 Willie Mitchell
Games Played: 4
Goals: 0
Assists 1
Plus/Minus: +2
I was one of the happiest people when Willie Mitchell signed in Los Angeles. Living in Vancouver, I have seen Willie over the past few seasons. It's been great thus far. He has an assist already and he is on the right side of the plus/minus statistic. He doesn't look as though he has just come off a severe concussion. It's been great to see. Willie is getting a good grade based on his play and his ability to lead. You can already see his calming presence on the ice. I'm not sure that there is anyone better. He calmed the Vancouver Canucks and now he is calming the Los Angeles Kings.
Grade: A
#44 -- Davis Drewiske
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#44 Davis Drewiske
Games Played: 4
Goals: 0
Assists 1
Plus/Minus: 0
Davis Drewiske is in a situation similar to Jake Muzzin's. When Matt Greene comes back, he is going to be fighting for a job. The thing is, he has played really well. I'm not expecting Duncan Keith-like performances out of him, but he has been solid in all areas of the game. He isn't getting caught out of position, and he is playing a solid all around game. I'm quite happy with his play thus far. I think that he is being driven by Muzzin, and that Muzzin is being driven by him. These two guys are going to be fighting for the same spot in about a month. This healthy competition has been great for the play of Drewiske.
Grade: B-
#45 -- Jonathan Bernier
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#45 Jonathan Bernier
Games Played: 1
GAA: 2.00
Save Percentage: 0.935
While it's only been one game, Bernier's statistics have been very good. If you are a casual hockey fan who looks at those numbers on paper, you probably think that Bernier should be pushing for that number one job. Now the reason that Bernier isn't going to be getting a really high grade (it's still high) is that the goals scored on him weren't overly stellar. The Craig Conroy goal really stands out in my mind. That's a goal that you really can't let in. Imagine, if he stops that, the Kings could be 4-0 right now. Now I know that it's kind of unfair to blame the loss on Bernier. The Kings couldn't really score. Bernier needs to cut out the bad goals. With a lot of games in a few nights coming up, we will get a great opportunity to see what he can do.
Grade: A-
#94-- Ryan Smyth
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