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theScore will be giving out fantasy report cards discussing the fantasy value of key players on each of the 30 teams. This edition focuses on the Los Angeles Kings.
ANA | ARI | BOS | BUF | CGY | CAR | CHI | COL | CLB | DAL | DET | EDM | FLA | LA | MIN | MTL | NAS | NJ | NYI | NYR | OTT | PHI | PIT | SJ | STL | TB | TOR | VAN | WAS | WPG
G Peter Budaj
Anyone who picked up Budaj shortly after Jonathan Quick went down have been reaping the benefits. The 34-year-old journeyman has solidified himself as LA's No. 1 goalie until Quick returns. His GAA should continue to remain among the best in the league as long as the Kings continue to limit scoring chances against. Grade: A
Skaters
C Jeff Carter
Carter could be on the verge of his highest goal total since he scored 46 back in 2008-09. He constantly seems to get undervalued come draft day, but he continues to do exactly what you expect of him: approach 30 goals, take a bunch of shots and total roughly one hit per game, holding his value in banger leagues. Grade: A-
C Anze Kopitar
Kopitar is one of those players who is much better in real life than they are in fantasy, much like Jonathan Toews. He has never averaged a point-per-game, but is usually good for at least 70. This year, he has been a major disappointment offensively with just three goals. Grade: D
C/RW Tyler Toffoli
Toffoli has essentially done what was expected of him. He is roughly on pace for another 30-goal, 60-point season. He hasn't exploded like he still has the potential to, but hasn't regressed either. He continues to take plenty of shots and provide positional versatility. Grade: B
RW Marian Gaborik
In typical Marian Gaborik fashion, most of his season has been lost due to injury. Though many advanced metrics point toward progression looming, it's hard to say his season has been anything close to a success. Grade: D+
LW Tanner Pearson
Pearson looks set to surpass his career-high of 15 goals that he set last season. The 24-year-old is averaging close to two hits per game, and he has value in keeper leagues with banger-league scoring settings. Grade: B+
LW/RW Dustin Brown
Brown continues to be among the league leaders in hits, solidifying his value in banger leagues. Stripping the C from his chest may have lifted a weight off his shoulders, as he is on pace for his best offensive season since 2012-13. Grade: A-
D Drew Doughty
Doughty is another player who is much better in real life than in fantasy. Last year's 14-goal, 51-point season provided optimism that he could be an elite fantasy defenseman, but it hasn't been the case this year. Grade: C
D Alec Martinez
Martinez has been one of the season's biggest overachievers. He got off to a blazing start offensively, picking up seven points in the first seven games, but the fact that the majority of his assists have been secondary helpers has caught up to him. Still, fantasy owners can't be disappointed. Grade: A-
Player to Watch - C Nic Dowd
Dowd is a rookie, but he is already 26 years old. The former seventh-round pick isn't lighting the lamp offensively, but his high hit total could give him value in banger leagues moving forward if he can start capitalizing on his 3.31 iSCF60 (individual scoring chances for per 60 minutes), per Corsica.Hockey. For what it's worth, he had 48 points in 58 AHL games last year.
