Player evaluation: Harrold

PETER HARROLD
This season: 19 games, 1 goal, 3 assists, 4 penalty minutes, 12:15 average ice time.
The good: Harrold displayed the underrated ability to be a healthy scratch for long periods of time — sometimes weeks — and then step into game action and play an effective-but-limited role. Harrold consistently drew praise for his team-first attitude, as he never complained about being a regular healthy scratch and consistently put in tough hours in practice. Harrold’s versatility was seen as a major bonus, given that he could step in as either a defenseman, winger or even center.
The bad: At age 27, in his third NHL season, Harrold wasn’t able to do enough to earn a regular spot in the lineup. Just as he is steady and reliable in every area, he also does not stand out in any particular area. Players such as Alec Martinez and, for a while, Jake Muzzin stepped in with higher-level ability and are considered prospects with higher ceilings.
Going forward: Harrold is an unrestricted free agent this summer. Given that all six of the Kings’ regular defensemen are expected to return — plus Davis Drewiske — and given that a handful of prospects seem to be ready to crack the NHL level, it seems doubtful that Harrold will return next season. One would assume that he will at least test the waters this summer and hope to find a team that has more of a need for defensive depth.


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