It’s accurate, not cruel, to say that Michal Handzus was awful last season. In the first year of a four-year, $16-million contract, Handzus had seven goals and 14 assists in 82 games and often got dropped to fourth-line center duties. In Handzus’ defense, it was his first year back after ACL surgery, and that’s usually a rough year on any athlete, but Handzus insisted that he was 100 percent. That’s doubtful, because Handzus looks like a completely different player this season. He has 10 goals and 13 assists in 50 games, but more importantly, he’s a monster on defense and the anchor of a shutdown line, something that the Kings have lacked for years. He has also been a strong mentor to Wayne Simmonds. Here’s what Terry Murray said about Handzus’ play this season…

MURRAY: “He can do anything we ask. I have moved Michal Handzus to left wing and it’s, `No problem, I can play left wing, I understand.’ He has a great attitude about the game and his contribution to the team. He feels good about how he’s playing. What I’m seeing from him now is what I saw from him in Philadelphia. He’s a glue player who goes out and does hard work every night. He’s blocking shots, winning faceoffs and centering a shutdown line as we get to critical points of the game. As a result of him playing that role, as a veteran, he also takes on more of the leadership and responsibility for helping the development of the young players.”