Player evaluation: Ellis
MATT ELLIS
This season: 19 games, 1 goal, 1 assist, plus-2 rating (with Kings); 54 games, 3 goals, 5 assists, plus-3 rating (overall).
Positives: The expectations were fairly low when the Kings claimed Ellis off waivers from Detroit, but he was a lineup regular who averaged almost 13 minutes per game and played a responsible defensive game. Ellis proved to be a hard worker who wasn't afraid to throw his body around.
Negatives: At age 26, he's unlikely to develop much of an offensive game, so he's limited there and probably won't rise above an energy-line role. He's also not terribly big, which could potentially mean injury problems with his style of play.
Looking ahead: Ellis definitely has a chance to make an impact with the Kings, but he likely will be competing for a roster spot with players such as John Zeiler, Matt Moulson, Gabe Gauthier and Brady Murray. His defensive skills are a huge plus but his offensive limitations will hold him back.
Contract status: Signed through 2008-09 (cap number of $475,000 next season).
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Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar. A native of Los Angeles, Rich has worked at the Daily News since 1999 and also serves as the paper's deputy sports editor. E-mail Rich at rich.hammond@dailynews.com.
Jill Painter joined the Daily News in 2000 and during the last eight years she's covered the Dodgers, Cal State Northridge, UCLA, Kings, golf and everything in between. Even though she's from Colorado, she still freezes in the Staples Center press box but always manages to thaw her fingers in time to make deadline. E-mail Jill at jill.painter@dailynews.com.
Not too impressed with this player.
He's one step above John Zeiler and one step below the Zamboni driver.
One of the big reasons the Kings PK improved late in the season. Can't be faulted for not hustling. As a probable 4th liner, he shouldn't be counted on for significant scoring and is capable enough. Worth keeping at that inexpensive salary for next season.
A character type player that every team needs on the fourth line. Responsible defensively, good on the PK. I want him around even if he can't score.
Lack of fourth line scoring is the least of our problems.
A good addition to the bottom 6. I don't care if he never scores single goal as long as he brings his energy and defensive game to the 4th line every game.
comes from a classy organization and hopefully can rub off some good habits to the rest of the team. keep him for another year
he is one of the sole reasons for our improved PK. the Kings would be dumb not to give him roughly the same amount of ice time next season. OK so he's only going to get 5 or 6 goals a season, he's still better than Zeiler and Guiliano who would have at most 1 each.
He's a good add to the 4th line for a checking line and as was stated is valuable on the PK. He's pretty good on the forecheck too which helps on this team.
Anthony,
Which part of the game play do you compare Ellis with Zeiler?? Zeiler is a piece of shit player to me.....he only hits good for the girls in the stands :)
I thought he was a nice pickup for the Kings. His work on the PK was excellent and his hustle makes him the perfect 4th line player.
A lot of times people just look at the stats and determine that the guy sucks. That's definitely not the case with this guy. His job isn't to score goals. His salary also makes sense for next season.