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Los Angeles Kings: Fantasy Hockey Outlook

By Gary Hale |

I love fantasy hockey. I’ve been doing it for years now. It’s a wonderful way to keep up with what’s going on around the league, pretend like you’re a GM, and smack talk your friends. There isn’t much better than that combination!

For all you fantasy hockey players, I thought I’d put together a quick list of Los Angeles Kings players who should fair well this season. Both in real life and for your fantasy league. I’ll start with the obvious picks you should go for and in what order, then move to some auxillary players that should help you get atop the board. And I’ll give you the risk/reward scale as well.

1. JONATHAN QUICK (G)

Risk:  Medium
Reward:  High

Shutouts get you tons of fantasy points. And Quicky gets more shutouts than most. He’s had 23 in the past 4 seasons…averaging around 6 per year. That’ll really help you rise to the top in fantasy world. If Quicky has a full season, he’ll be a solid 1st round choice for you. But as Quick gets older and continues to push his body harder than any goalie in the NHL, the risk could get you. If he goes down because of another injury, then him being your top pick will hurt.

2. JEFF CARTER (C)

Feb 3, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Jeff Carter (77) faces off against Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) in the second period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Risk:  Low
Reward:  High

Carter is reaching the prime of his career. He’s always a top scorer for the team and is consistently a good + / – rating. If the “That 70’s Line” stays healthy all year, I believe Carter will be the top scorer on the team…yes, even over Kopitar. When Carter has natural scoring ability surrounding him, he’s unstoppable. And he’s stayed relatively healthy since joining the Kings so he should see a full season.

3. ANZE KOPITAR (C)

Risk:  Low
Reward:  High

We all know Kopi is and will continue to be, either, the top scorer or near the top scorer of the team. He’ll get you fantasy points for sure. But his + / – took a pretty big hit last season (-2). Especially when you compare it with what he did in the season prior (+34). I think he’s going to have a better season than he did last year, all around. So grab him early!

4. TYLER TOFFOLI (RW)

RISK:  MEDIUM
REWARD:  HIGH

Feb 12, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Tyler Toffoli (73) reacts against the Calgary Flames in the third period at Staples Center. Toffoli scored three goals in the Kings 5-3 victory over the Flames. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

I think Toffoli is going to surprise us in a big way this year. We all know he’s a sniper, but his sniping ability is going to increase even more. If he stays healthy, Toffoli will be a 30 goal scorer this season. And he also led the team in + / – last season. With Carter & Pearson by his side, he’s going to crush it this year.

5. DREW DOUGHTY (RD)

RISK:  MEDIUM
REWARD:  MEDIUM

Sorry if I hurt your feelings by putting Doughty this low. But as it relates to fantasy hockey, he just hasn’t proven to be a top point producer. I am with you when you say he is an elite defenseman. Absolutely! But his stat sheet doesn’t really show it yet in his career.  He put up a good amount of points last season (46), but the fact that he plays against top offensive lines every night makes it hard to have a great + / – rating.

I think he should be the 2nd defenseman you go after this season.

6. MARIAN GABORIK (RW)

Mar 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Marian Gaborik (12) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

RISK:  HIGH
REWARD:  HIGH

Gabby, oh I love watching him score clutch goals. But his injury history slightly scares me. He’s been pretty healthy with the Kings thus far but that can only last so long. Because of that, he’s more of a risk to be a high pick in fantasy hockey.

If he’s healthy, we know he’ll produce. He always does.

7. MILAN LUCIC (LW)

RISK:  MEDIUM
REWARD:  MEDIUM

Lucic didn’t have the best season of his career last year. Much of it was due to Krejci being hurt. With him slotted on a line with Kopi and Gabby, I think we’ll see a turnaround year from him. Lucic could be the perfect match for those guys – tough, power forward. I think he’ll get you 20 goals this season and have a decent + / -. Plus, he gets in fights and we all know those PIM’s can really help rack up some fantasy points!

8. ALEC MARTINEZ (LD)

RISK:  HIGH
REWARD:  MEDIUM

I think Martinez is the most underrated player on the Kings roster. He’s good in all situations. He can play both the right and left side. His shot is awesome. And if Martinez takes on a 2nd line defensive role, I think we could see him have his most productive year. He’s had a decent + / – rating in the past 2 seasons and puts up more goals than Doughty.

9. JAKE MUZZIN (LD)

Mar 7, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin (6) is defended by Pittsburgh Penguins center Nick Spaling (72) at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

RISK:  HIGH
REWARD:  MEDIUM

Muzzin is turning into quite the hockey player. In his first 2 seasons, I was scared every time he had the puck because he was prone to many mistakes. But he’s really matured and become a top line defenseman with the Kings. He’s got offensive prowess and puts up numbers fairly consistently. Last year, he had 10 goals and 41 points. And 3 of those goals were game winners.

The only reason Martinez is slotted higher than him is because of + / – rating. Muzzin is still inconsistent here, statistically.

10. TANNER PEARSON (LW)

RISK:  MEDIUM
REWARD:  MEDIUM

There are games I watch where I think to myself, “Man, Tanner Pearson has some superstar knack in him.” He’s fast as lightning, has a great release, and adds a great element to “That 70’s Line”. He broke a bone in his leg last year which put him out for nearly half the season. He’s rested up and healed up and should see a full season as a King. And if he does, he’s a threat to be dealt with.

I think Pearson will give us 20 goals this season if he stays healthy. He could be one of those guys to grab in a lower round that may be near the top of your point sheet all season.

If you’ve never tried out Fantasy Hockey before, I suggest either ESPN or Yahoo. Join a league and have some fun this year!

Next: Los Angeles Kings: What Position has the Biggest Need Poll

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