Set to turn 35 in January, Quick appears to be nearing the end of his impressive career. While his numbers did improve in 2019-20 after a disastrous 2018-19, they still weren't good -- Quick was 37th among qualifiers in GAA, and didn't even crack the top 50 in save percentage. While some of that is attributable to a blue line that featured little experience beyond Drew Doughty, Cal Petersen looked much better in limited action working behind the same set of skaters. It seems likely that the younger netminder will take on a larger workload this season and perhaps even claim the starting job outright later in the year, or at least work his way into a timeshare with Quick. The Kings are a year or two away from seeing their rebuild bear fruit, but it's no sure thing Quick will still be around once they get there.
No player embodied the Kings' poor 2018-19 season more than Quick did. Just one year removed from winning his second Jennings Trophy, the 33-year-old's decline was sudden and shocking, and while an early-season knee injury didn't help matters, it doesn't fully explain the worst numbers of his career. It's also hard to write off his collapse as a product of poor play in front of him given that his GAA inflated by nearly one goal per game, and his save percentage regressed by a massive 33 points. Jack Campbell thoroughly outplayed him overall, which could make Quick expendable, but considering what he's meant to the franchise over the years, fantasy owners can expect the veteran to get at least one more chance to prove he still has something left in the tank before the Kings move on.
Quick has been one of the surest bets in fantasy hockey for several years now. Last season's 2.40 GAA ended a three-year streak of marks between 2.20 and 2.30, and his save percentage has fallen between .915 and last season's total of .921 for five consecutive campaigns. Put simply, you know almost exactly what you're getting when you draft Quick, which makes the 32-year-old netminder someone that you can build your fantasy team around with confidence. If you're the type who likes to wait until the top three or four goaltenders have been chosen before you grab your first goalie, Quick is a fine No. 1 option who will consistently produce solid numbers for your team.
Quick injured his groin on Opening Night and didn't return until Feb. 25. The veteran was limited to just 17 games, but his .917 save percentage and 2.26 GAA were right in line with his .917 and 2.18 marks over the previous three campaigns. Additionally, Quick's .927 save percentage at five-on-five last year is further assurance that 31-year-old netminder can turn in another solid fantasy showing in 2017-18. The Kings will lean on their No. 1 goalie, and Quick projects to approach 65 starts, so there is a lot of value in his volume and reliability. It's worth noting that the Kings have a number of go-to skaters in decline and weak lineup depth in front of Quick. Los Angeles still plays a sound possession game, though, which should mitigate the risk of an underwhelming supporting cast.
Quick’s now delivered two nearly identical seasons in a row, having followed up 36 wins, a 2.24 GAA and a .918 save percentage with 40 wins, a 2.22 GAA and a .918 save percentage. Fantasy owners certainly aren’t going to complain about the value there, especially in formats that value volume over quality, but his numbers don’t quite match his reputation as an elite netminder. Among goalies who played at least 25 games, here are his ranks in save percentage over the last three seasons, from past to present: 24th, 20th, 21st. The Kings’ strong defense keeps Quick’s GAA down because he doesn’t face a lot of shots, and he does start almost every night (a league-leading 68 last year), but his reputation is built on his durability and his Stanley Cups a little more than on his stats, so make sure the 30-year-old’s a good fit for your fantasy format before jumping in on him early in drafts.
Quick had a relatively down year last season, but can still stake a claim to being one of the top goaltenders in the league. In 2014-15, he tied a career-high with 72 games played -- one behind the Capitals' Braden Holtby for the league lead -- and finished sixth in GAA (2.24) while posting a more-than-respectable .918 save percentage. While that percentage was below the top-tier goaltenders in the NHL, it was actually the second-best mark of his career. It might be tough to count on Quick to play in more than 70 games again this season, but the 29-year-old should remain a dependable option to structure your fantasy team around.
Quick was limited to just 49 games last season thanks to a groin injury and some uneven play at times, but got his name on the Stanley Cup for the second time in three seasons. He wasn't nearly as good in the playoffs as he was in their previous Cup run, but that hardly matters to Kings' fans. His game has slipped some in recent years and a heavy workload may be begininng to show its effects. But he's still the No. 1 goalie on what figures to be an elite team and he'll play a ton when healthy. Draft him early and be rewarded.
Quick had an impossible act to follow after coming off a Stanley Cup and Conn Symthe season in 2011-12 and then signing that monster, 10-year contract extension. His numbers (18 wins, 2.45 GAA, .902 save percentage) were still decent and he tried to carry the Kings once again with some brilliant netminding in the postseason. The Kings hope that the form he flashed in the playoffs are a better indication of the next decade than the uneven play he showed at times in the regular season, particularly after dealing backup Jonathan Bernier to the Leafs in the offseason. We have every confidence he'll rebound.
Where to begin? Quick was among the game's best during the regular season (35 wins, .929 save percentage, 1.95 GAA) before embarking on his unbelievable run in the playoffs that culminated with a hoisting of the Stanley Cup. He signed a ten-year contract with the King,s but isn't the type to rest on his laurels. Expect another 35-win season as long as his summer back surgery is fully healed.
Quick (35 wins, 2.24 GAA, .918 save percentage) topped 35 wins for the second straight year despite a slightly reduced workload. He'll enter training camp as the team's No. 1 goalie, but figures to get pushed for playing time by backup Jonathan Bernier if he starts slowly. Bernier's emergence could further cut into Quick's starts but it's still his job to lose if he plays well on what figures to be a playoff-bound Kings squad.
Quick posted a career-best 39 wins last year in the regular season, before a pair of clunkers against the Canucks in Round One of the playoffs ended his season on a down note. Jonathan Bernier is the team's goalie of the future, but it's unclear just how soon he'll be handed the keys as Quick is signed for two more years at $1.8 million per season. The Kings expect to contend again this season so Quick should enter the season as the team's starting goalie. If he can hold onto the starting role there's no reason he can't repeat last year's success (39 wins, 2.54 goals-against average, and .907 save percentage). Just be aware that an early season slump could have Bernier knocking on the door.
Quick enters camp as the team's #1 netminder but will face some tough competition from Erik Ersberg and prospect Jonathan Bernier. The Kings look to improve but it remains to be seen if any of their metminders can hold onto the starting job for the entire season.
Quick's stuck behind Jonathan Bernier on the organizational ladder and likely needs a change in scenary unless he wants to be a backup goalie to Bernier. If he gets traded to another organization he could advance quickly. He's not a franchise-type goalie but could develop into a solid #1 netminder in the right situation.
Quick gave up his two years of eligibility at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst after he performed well as a sophomore and ranked fifth in the NCAA in save percentage. With a couple of top prospects in goal ahead of him, the Kings will not rush him and he is expected to see some time in the minors this season.
