Pacific Division Offseason Review – Los Angeles Kings

Next up on our offseason reviews: the Los Angeles Kings.

Roster Movement

Additions: Erik Haula, Mats Zuccarello, Corey Perry, Erik Gustafsson
Subtractions: Anze Kopitar, Andrei Kuzmenko, Jeff Malott, Mathieu Joseph

2025-26 Season Results vs VGK

10/8: vs LAK: 6-5 Loss (SO)
1/14: at LAK: 3-2 Win (OT)
2/5: vs LAK: 4-1 Win
2/25: at LAK: 6-4 Win

Leaders Against VGK (25-26 Regular Season)

Goals: Byfield, Clarke (3)
Points: Kuzmenko (5)
Shots: Kempe (15)
Starts: Forsberg (3)
Wins: Forsberg (1)
Save Percentage: Kuemper (.889)

Projected Lineup (per Eric Stephens, The Athletic)

Panarin-Byfield-Laferriere
Fiala-Kempe-Zuccarello
Haula-Laughton-Moore
Armia-Turcotte-Perry

Anderson-Doughty
Edmundson-Clarke
Dumoulin-Ceci

Kuemper
Forsberg

Injured: None

Threat Level

6 out of 10

The Kings have a fairly complete roster aside from one crucial piece, a number one center. Los Angeles will feel Anze Kopitar’s departure in many ways, but most of all in his ability to neutralize opposing top lines. Quentin Byfield has turned into a good player, but he’s far from a great one, and he’s not anywhere close to the level of Kopitar. Around him, though, there are a lot of weapons. The return of Artemi Panarin and Kevin Fiala coming back into the lineup after the injury at the Olympics gives LA a lot more offense than we’re typically used to out of LA.

Defensively, it really comes down to whether or not Drew Doughty is still a bona fide star defenseman. If he can still handle 22-25 minutes and play against the best competition, everything else falls into place nicely. Brandt Clarke had a big year against the Golden Knights last year, and he’s likely in for a big season against the entire league this year.

Keeping the puck out of the net is going to be a challenge for LA. Panarin, Zuccarello, and Perry all come in without great defensive credentials; the bottom pair of Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin was a problem last year and likely will be again, and the goaltending duo are not going to cover up any of the problems. New head coach Peter Laviolette has gotten a lot out of just about every team he’s coached, so they could surprise people. Still don’t think they’ll be able to truly put a scare in the Golden Knights if both teams are at full strength.