Here are my grades for all the Kings current active players at the All-Star break.  Simon Gagne, Ethan Moreau, Scott Parse and Davis Drewiske have all been excluded from receiving grades for their own obvious individual reasons.  Following each grade, there’s a number equivalent and an “up” or “down” arrow denoting how I feel that player is currently trending going into the second half.  If there isn’t a arrow, that means I expect relatively the same output/performance from that player going forward.  I have provided a few lines of explanation as to why I think the player deserves their grade.  Enjoy, discuss and debate!

Jonathan Bernier – C- (70) ↓ :  Yes, he’s only played 9 games (started in 8), but he hasn’t been the backup phenom that most people thought he would be this year.    And, no, I don’t think he will be traded during the season.  But, in spite of him not getting as many starts as he did at this same time last year, he’s been inconsistent when he’s played.  He gets a “down” arrow because of the fact that I’m not so sure that he will start in more that 8 games come the next 32 due to Jonathan Quick’s tremendous season thus far and the Kings fight to secure a playoff spot.

Dustin Brown —  B  (83) ↑ :  He leads the team in game-winning goals, hits and is second in plus/minus (+5)…and that’s good.  But his offensive production, like almost everybody else on the team, has declined from last year.  He gets a lot of criticism from his detractors for not being an outspoken captain when things are not going well, but they (we) really don’t know what is said behind closed doors.  His teammates seem to love him…and that’s good enough for me.  I expect Browny to be better down the stretch – he’s the captain and he needs to be strong for the Kings to solidify a playoff spot.

Kyle Clifford — D+ (68) ↑ :  When Wayne Simmonds got traded to Philly as part of the deal that brought us Mike Richards, many people around the Kings thought that the reason the team could afford to part ways with Simmer was because of Clifford’s excellent playoff performance, as it was thought to be an indication of things to come.  Well, it hasn’t exactly turned out that way.  It’s not that Cliffy has been terrible, but he hasn’t made anyone forget just yet what Simmer provided the team.  The Gordie Howe hat-trick that Cliffy produced in the last game versus Ottawa was great to see and is exactly the type of effort the Kings will need from him going forward.

Drew Doughty — C  (75) ↑↑ : Okay, he missed training camp while negotiating a mega-contract, and that’s a big deal.  And as a result, Doughty struggled to show us his best during the first few weeks of the season under former coach Terry Murray.  However, since Darryl Sutter has taken over the coaching duties, Doughty has been reinvigorated, being deployed as the team’s shutdown defensemen and increasing his offensive production.  Can he be better?  Absolutely.  And I’m banking on the fact that he will when the team most needs him to be – that’s why he gets double arrows.  Sure, he’s making more money now than he’s probably currently worth.  But I think the investment will ultimately pay off this year and for many seasons to come.

Colin Fraser — B (85)  :  Fraser has been a solid fourth-liner, who provides plenty of grit and energy when called upon.  And lately under Sutter, he’s been getting more ice time due to his reliable defense and his coach’s desire to spread play time evenly throughout the team.  Fraser is never gonna “wow” you with his offensive skills, but he gives it his all on almost every shift.  I expect him to continue doing so.

Matt Greene — B+ (87) ↑ : On pace to surpass his previous highest scoring season, Greene doesn’t get paid to put the biscuit in the basket.  But he gets paid well to stop the other team from doing so, while being a key leader and mentor on and off the ice.  By all accounts, Greener is as consistent as any King has been.  He plays the same type of game no matter who he’s paired with and is very reliable in his own zone.

Trent Hunter — D+ (67) ↑ : Hunter has found new life under Sutter, as he was frequently a healthy scratch while Murray was the coach.  Is he lighting up the board or even producing offensively like he has in the past?  No.  However, he has found a good fit and rhythm with linemates Clifford and Colin Fraser on the “call us anything but a fourth-line” line.  If he continues his efforts and stays out of the penalty box (like he has) during this renaissance and maybe contribute a few more goals along the way (I think he can and will), it will only help the team.  He is playing for a contract next season, too.

Jack Johnson — C+ (77) :  For Johnson, it’s been sort of an uneven season.  At times, he has looked like a force of nature, shutting down the opponent’s top players, while chipping in with much needed offensive support.  Other times, he has made costly mental mistakes, often unforced errors, that lead to scoring opportunities and momentum gains for the opposition.  No one doubts Johnson’s potential because he is capable of playing a well-rounded game.  But, once again, he’s been wildly inconsistent this season and he still seems like he has much to learn before he graduates to the next level and tier of upper echelon defensemen.  I think there’s some reason to suspect that he might be a player that the Kings might be willing to trade if the deal is right.

Anze Kopitar — B+ (89) ↑ :  Just like last season, Kopitar got off to a flying start early on, only to see his goal production drastically suffer after the quarter-mark.  He’s still an elite-level NHL center and perhaps still doesn’t have the full complimentary set of wingers or players that match his skill-set that would propel him amongst the league’s top scorers.  He has also taken many big hits recently that have left him looking a bit weary.  If there was any one player on the Kings roster besides Mike Richards that needed an elongated break during this time, it’s probably Kopi.  Because of all the offensive struggles up and down the team’s roster, it’s even more apparent that Kopi increases his goal production towards the playoffs.  He’s still the Kings best offensive weapon and I think the R&R this week will be just the thing he needs to raise his game during the final 30.

Trevor Lewis — D (63, SEE ME!) ↓ : After not scoring a single goal in his first 33 games, Lewis has netted two in his last seven.  So is there room for some optimism?  Well, perhaps.  But I’m not banking on it.  Look, I have nothing against Lewis.  But even at 25 and only in the midst of his second full season as a pro, I’m not sure that he will develop into anything more than a bottom-six, lower tier fourth-liner.  For being a former first-round pick, I’ve been less than impressed with his performance career-to-date and don’t see much of an upside as others do.  Sorry!

Andrei Loktionov — D (65) ↑ :  This is one of the tougher grades I had to give out because I think the kid is gonna be a good one, perhaps even a great one, in the future.  However, through 29 games and after getting significant playing time in key situations, he has no goals.  Zero.  Zilch.  Nada surf.  The “up” arrow is given to him because he’s gonna score one or several eventually (he has to!).  I think with Lokti, it’s really more a matter of confidence and still learning how to play at an NHL-level each and every shift.  He has shown that he’s capable of making mature, smart decisions on the ice.  But he still defers to others way too often and chooses to be unselfish when he should take the initiative.  His grade reflects his production thus far – not his potential.  I hope he can back up my positive outlook for him the rest of the way.

Alec Martinez — C- (72) ↓ : With the emergence of Slava Voynov, Martinez has become a regular healthy scratch.  It’s really no fault of his own, as A-Mart is a solid offensive denfensemen who will eventually make his mark in the league.  Whether or not he finds a role with the Kings this season…or even in the future with them…is a tough call.  He could be seen by other teams as a promising young player that needs a place  to develop and regular playing time.  He also could be seen by the Kings as a player who can be part of a package to bring in some much needed offensive pop.  And if that’s the case, he could be traded before the season ends.  I like Martinez, but he could be a victim of a number’s game.  Plain and simple.

Willie Mitchell — A (93) :  You can make the argument that Willie Mitchell has been the Kings most important and valuable defensemen so far this year.  He has been the team’s most responsible defensive defensemen, maintaining a huge presence while the Kings are shorthanded,  making the Kings penalty kill unit one of the league’s best.  He gives up his body, blocks shots, stands up for his teammates and has been a pillar of strength in front of his goalie.  He’s playing for a new contract next season and that’s something I think he not only deserves, but will get.

Dustin Penner — D- (60, SEE ME!)  :  Although he seems like a really nice guy with a good sense of humor, no player on this Kings team has received more outright negative criticism for his play than Penner.  Pancake jokes aside, he has been the team’s most glaring offensive disappointment, failing to play a consistent heavy game, only providing one power play goal through 38 games.  He has averaged less than two shots a game and even producing at a lesser level than he did last season as a King – and that’s really saying a lot!  The truth is, Penner is finding it difficult to be the player the Kings need him to be.  And to make things even worse, because of his amazing underachievement this season, it makes him very hard to move before the trade deadline.  Maybe he can turn it around after the break, but…I wouldn’t hold your breath.

Jonathan Quick – A+ (100) :  What else can you say about the team’s undisputed MVP that already hasn’t been said?  Nothing, so I won’t even try.  I only hope he continues his unbelievable season down the stretch.  He got rewarded this week by being selected to play in Ottawa in the All-Star game – a great honor and the team’s lone representative at the event.  If he continues his stellar performance, he should also be rewarded with the Vezina trophy.  Season-to-date, no single player in the NHL has been more important, vital and valuable to his team than Quick.  End of story.

Mike Richards — B+ (88) ↓ :  “The Ricker” has been everything to the Kings and all that was advertised before his arrival to Los Angeles.  Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem like the same player he was at the beginning of the season since the concussion he received on Decenber 2 during a game versus Florida.  Richards continues to produce here and there, but appears to be still reeling and suffering in the aftermath of the blow.  For the Kings to go anywhere in the playoffs, assuming they will make them, Richards needs to be healthy and be able to play at the level he’s capable of.  He’s the one player that needed this long eight day break more than anyone else.  The Kings have already suffered from the concussion outbreak this season with the loss of Simon Gagne, who doesn’t look like he’s coming back any time soon.  Let’s hope that Richards comes back after the break rested and completely healed, ready for battle.

Brad Richardson — D+ (67) ↓ :  It’s hard not to like Richie.  But it’s even harder not to give him a poor overall grade due to his lack of offensive finish.  One goal and one assist in his last 12 games doesn’t give you a lot to be positive about – and that came with him getting playing time on the top line alongside Kopitar.  The more and more I watch him play, the more he reminds me of former King Craig Johnson.  Both players have tremendous speed, but can’t seem to capitalize on the scoring chances they get.  Granted, Richardson probably has better hands than Johnson ever did, but it’s not translating into much better results.  I gave him some extra points for his effort, but it’s simply not enough.

Rob Scuderi — A- (90) ↑ :  Scuds is as steady as they come as a stay-at-home defensemen.  Like Mitchell, he does all the dirty work that often goes unseen or taken for granted by fans. He also is one of the most well-spoken, articulate members on the team, giving keen insight when called upon by the media.  His leadership qualities make him as valuable as anyone else, even if he doesn’t wear the “C” on his jersey.   This is the time of the season where Scuderi becomes even more vital to the team’s success and often elevates his game to a playoff-level.  And I expect him to continue to do all-the-above…and more… in the remaining games.

Jarret Stoll — D (63, SEE ME!) :  Nobody has dumbfounded me more this season than Jarret Stoll – even more so than Penner.  The only redeeming output to his season is that Stoll is among the league leaders in faceoff percentage.  Other than that, it’s been slim pickings.  Before the season started, conventional wisdom had Stoll excelling as the team’s third-line center, behind Kopitar and Richards.  Many people thought that Stoll would give match-up problems for many teams who are weak in pivot depth.  But it hasn’t worked out that way thus far.  One of the more disturbing developments with Stoll’s game has been his inability to get his heavy shot on net.  He has also failed to capitalize on plenty of grade-A scoring opportunities and rebounds.  Hopefully, he will re-find his scoring touch immediately after the break and contribute offensively the way he has in the past.

Slava Voynov — B- (82) ↑ :  Blessed with offensive gifts for a defensemen, Voynov made it impossible for Kings management to send him back to Manchester after being called up earlier in the season as an injury replacement.  Sure, he still has lots to learn, especially with his defensive positioning and knowing when to join the offensive rush.  But the future looks very promising for the 22 year-old Russian-born blueliner and if he continues to impress, others in the organization vying for the same role will either have to wait longer for their turn or be traded.

Kevin Westgarth — B- (80) ↑ :  Appearing in only 21 games thus far, when he has played, Westy has been pretty darn effective.  Known primarily as an enforcer, the Princeton grad has displayed a desire to set screens and get involved down low in the offensive zone.  He’s not gonna remind anyone of Bob Probert, but Westgarth does possess some offensive skills and he’s been doing a very admirable job cycling the puck when he’s been given the chance to play.  I expect Westy to get into the lineup more often going forward.

Justin Williams — C+ (78) ↑ :  As streaky a scorer as they come, Williams hopes to rediscover his knack for scoring timely goals in the second half.  With only five even-strength goals at this point, Justin must improve his production in all situations in order for the team to be successful.  But the good news for Williams and the Kings is that he’s healthy and that he finished the first half riding an eight-game point streak, (3 goals, 7 assists), and has appeared to show more hunger for the puck and involvement in the offensive zone.  If Justin can average a point per game down the stretch, the Kings will be in a much better position to do some damage come the post-season.