NHL 19: Los Angeles Kings Player Ratings, Roster & Top Prospects

(Image Source: EA Sports)

A similar case to the Chicago Blackhawks, the Los Angeles Kings are now feeling the consequences of success with the supporting talent dwindling around the top-class core that made them so menacing about half-a-decade ago. After winning the 2012 and 2014 Stanley Cup, Los Angeles looks to be entering the end-phase of their Cup-winning phase, which most likely means that they’ll miss out on the playoffs for the third time in five years. 

Anze Kopitar, Center, 90 OVR

Age: 31Role: Two-Way CenterHeight: 191cmWeight: 101kgShoots: LeftBest Stats: 93 Defensive Awareness. 92 Passing, Puck Control, Offensive Awareness, Slap Shot Power, Wrist Shot Power

In NHL 19, Anze Kopitar still boasts the attribute levels that earned him 92 points in 82 games last season. But, the team captain is now feeling the pinch of age and a fading team with just 18 points through his first 27 games of the season. He’ll undoubtedly remain an important figurehead for the Kings, likely sticking around to helm the team and usher in the next phase.

Drew Doughty, Defenseman, 92 OVR

Age: 28Role: Two-Way DefensemanHeight: 185cmWeight: 91kgShoots: RightBest Stats: 94 Offensive Awareness, Passing, Defensive Awareness

Drew Doughty is the highest-rated defenseman in the game. With ten goals and 60 points last season, the 28-year-old defenseman proved his two-way capabilities and has followed up with a strong start of 15 points through 28 contests this season. Capable of eating up big minutes each game, Doughty looks to become the Kings’ most important player this season and in the seasons to come. 

Jonathan Quick, Goaltender, 89 OVR

Age: 32Role: Hybrid GoaltenderHeight: 185cmWeight: 99kgShoots: LeftBest Stats: 94 Aggressiveness. 92 Vision. 91 Agility, Speed, Stick Low, Breakaway, Angles

Jonathan Quick is both one of the Los Angeles Kings’ strongest assets and their biggest weakness. With Quick on the ice, there’s a sense that the Kings could win any game, with his performances last season being a huge reason behind the Kings making it to the playoffs. However, whenever he’s injured for long periods of time – such as in 2016/17 and at the start of this season – the team struggles a great deal. But, even having a fit Quick in net doesn’t appear to be helping the Kings, with his seven starts yielding just one win, in which he kept a shutout. 

NHL 19 Los Angeles Kings Roster

From the Day 1, September 13 update, this is how the Los Angeles Kings’ first lines start. These top lines boast many of the core players responsible for Los Angeles’ rise to prominence, with the addition of Ilya Kovalchuk, who was a major factor in the New Jersey Devils meeting the Kings in the 2012 Stanley Cup finals. It’s a hard-hitting group of players with plenty of playmaking ability from the blueline and up the middle.

Ilya Kovalchuk (86) – Anze Kopitar (90) – Dustin Brown (81)Jake Muzzin (85) – Drew Doughty (92)Jonathan Quick (89)

*Tanner Pearson was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 14.

Alex Lintuniemi, Defenseman, 73 OVR

Age: 22Role: Defensive DefensemanHeight: 191cmWeight: 105kgShoots: LeftPotential: 7th D med

While not the most inspiring prospect by any means, the sheer size of Alex Lintuniemi coupled with his 90 balance, adequate speed stats, 90 strength, 88 body checking, and 90 stick checking make him a very enjoyable player to have on the bottom line or to deploy in a tight game against a rival team – such as the San Jose Sharks or Anaheim Ducks. 

For the most part, there’s not a lot to look forward to in the Los Angeles Kings’ prospect pool – a consequence of years of success – but a few bright spots are breaking through. Two-way centers Gabriel Vilardi and Jaret Anderson-Dolan could develop into decent NHLers, as could two-way defenseman Kale Clague, if given a season or two to hone their skills further.

NHL 19 Los Angeles Kings Top Prospects

*Stephan Falkovsky was traded to the Minnesota Wild on November 21.