Posted by In my initial post here on The Hockey Writers I handed out a few grades from the first “grading period” of the L.A. Kings’ 2009/2010 NHL season. Upon further review I feel that I overlooked a couple of players. Let’s just say that maybe I’ve adjusted the grading curve somewhat and these three should have been included amongst the players earning “B” grades through the first 3rd or so of this season. So, without further adieu…….
B – Jarret Stoll: Stoll has 20 points in his first 27 games which would prorate to a full-season stat line of something like 21-39-60 in an 82 game schedule. That’s solid, not great, production from a second line Center. Stoll is being paid $3.6 million per for the next 3 seasons so he needs to perform at least at this level to justify that level of commitment. So far so good.
B – Wayne Simmonds: Simmonds was the 61st overall selection in the 2007 NHL draft and is already making a bigger impact in the big league than many of the top selections from that year. Thomas Hickey (4th overall), Karl Alzner (5th), Zach Hamill (8th), Logan Couture (9th) and Keaton Ellerby (10th) were all selected much higher than Simmonds but have yet to see much of the NHL while Simmonds is skating a regular shift with the Kings. Simmonds currently has 9 goals to date which puts him on pace for 25 this season. He also leads the team with a +10 plus/minus rating.
One of the numbers that I look at in evaluating a player’s offensive value is how many points scored per 60 minutes of ice time. Obviously not all players are awarded the same amount of ice time. Star forwards tend to average north of 20 minutes per game while most 4th line muckers get only a few minutes of ice time per game. Logically, players that are on the ice more have more opportunity to score points. Looking at players points scored per 60 minute rate shows what players do on a more even footing. Simmonds averages 2.20 points/60 minutes which places him in the top 20% of NHL forwards. That may not necessarily sound so impressive on the surface but considering he’s just 21 years old and performing better than many veteran players of note (Jason Spezza, Jason Arnott and Brad Boyes to name a few), Simmonds is doing just fine.
B – Davis Drewiske: This guy really came out of nowhere and is holding down a regular spot on the Kings blue line. Drewiske is a +2 which is higher than bigger names like Jack Johnson (-10) and high-priced UFA acquisition Rob Scuderi (+0). Maybe the best thing about Drewiske is the fact that he just inked a 3 year contract extension that accounts for just $600,000 annually against the team’s cap. The Kings are receiving tremendous value in their investment on Drewiske.
That should do it for the good grades. Now it’s time to look at the players who might want to hide this progress report from their parents. It’s time for the “C’s.”
C – Dustin Brown: Brown has been ok this season (21 points in 29 games) but more is expected from the captain of the Kings. Dustin recorded his only 30+ goal season in 2007/2008 and has the ability to pot 25 – 30 goals every season but is just on pace for just 17 this season. Brown also has an underwhelming -4 plus/minus rating.
C – Alexander Frolov: Frolov is a very talented offensive player who already has two 30 goal campaigns on his resume. Unfortunately Frolov is not doing much to build up his market value as he approaches UFA after this season. To date, Frolov has just 6 goals and is a -6.
Kings’ coach Terry Murray benched Frolov and questioned his commitment earlier this season. Some have suggested that the desire to win burns deep within Frolov’s gut but since he is not very vocal or demonstrative, many people don’t see it. We may find out the answer to this question as the season progresses.
C – Jack Johnson and Rob Scuderi: Johnson has been a highly regarded young player ever since he was selected 3rd overall by Carolina in the 2005 draft. He’s been projected to be a shut-down type defenseman but so far this season he is a team-worst -10 in the plus/minus department.
Johnson does have the confidence of his coach as he is second on the squad in ATOI (average time on ice). He’s not a big point producer so he needs to up his defensive play in order to prove his worth.
Scuderi was a playoff hero for the Stanley Cup winning Penguins a year ago and was a big UFA acquisition by Kings’ GM Dean Lombardi. He was expected to help stabilize a relatively young blue line and has performed average at best. He has an even plus/minus rating, just 1 point and his ATOI is only 18:03 which is only 5th among Kings’ defensemen. More was expected of Scuderi when he signed that rich free agent deal this summer with the Kings.
That wraps up my list of the Kings’ players earning at least a “C” grade, to date, this season. Please join me next time as I finish off the progress reports with the guys that need to work a lot harder.
Other Kings’ Notes: The NHL announced this afternoon that the Staples Center, the home of the Kings, will host the 2010 NHL draft which will take place on June 25th and 26th. This will be the first time the draft will be held in California. Last year the draft was held at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
Standings and Stats: After the Kings doubled up Ottawa, winning 6 – 3 on Thursday, the team is tied with Colorado for 4th in the West with 36 points (17 – 10 – 2). Justin Williams paced the Kings’ attack scoring 2 goals and adding an assist. Alexander Frolov also had a multi-point game finishing with 2 assists. Jonathan Quick got the win in net and now has 16 wins on the season.
Some Other Articles That You May Enjoy:
Kings’ 1st Progress Report
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings Announce 2009 Hockey Fest
Evander Kane Goes Hollywood?
Believe It or Not, The Kings Are Best In The West
Los Angeles Kings Slumping But Future Still Looks Bright
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