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2026-27 season preview: Los Angeles Kings

Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

By Cynthia Ryley Delaney

Sep 29, 2026, 23:30 EDTUpdated: Sep 30, 2026, 00:29 EDT

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After their fifth consecutive first round defeat, the Los Angeles Kings needed to change something.

From the 2022 to 2025 post-season, the Kings lost to the Oilers in the first round. They mixed it up in 2026, as they were swept by the Colorado Avalanche. Not great. So what did they do this past off-season?

Well, they brought in a whole bunch of veterans, while losing depth pieces, a former Calgary Flame, and their captain.

Who departed the Kings this past off-season

Long-time Kings’ forward Anže Kopitar retired following their defeat at the hands of the Avalanche. Kopitar was drafted 11th overall the way back in 2005. Over 20 seasons, the Slovenia-born forward scored 452 goals and 1,316 points in 1,521 games, essentially locking himself as a first ballot Hall of Famer.

If his point total doesn’t get it done, his trophy mantle sure does. Kopitar won two Stanley Cups with the Kings, two Selke trophies, and three Lady Byng trophies. In 107 playoff games, he scored 27 goals and 89 points, including 13 goals and 46 points in 46 games during their two Cup runs. What a career.

The Kings’ other notable loss this past off-season is a former Flame, as Andrei Kuzmenko signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Last season, the Russian forward scored 13 goals and 25 points in 52 games. They brought in scoring in free agency to make up for his departure.

Other small departures include Mathieu Joseph to the Edmonton Oilers, Jeff Malott signing with the Anaheim Ducks, Kyle Burroughs with the Dallas Stars, and Pheonix Copley with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Who’d the Kings bring in

So who’d the Kings bring in to replace Kuzmenko’s scoring and Kopitar’s leadership? Well, after trading him before the 2026 trade deadline, the Kings re-signed Corey Perry to a one-year deal. The 41-year-old has remained productive late in his career, scoring 17 goals and 37 points in 72 games last season.

Another veteran they brought in was Danish forward Mats Zuccarello. Last season, the 39-year-old scored 15 goals and 54 points with the Minnesota Wild. Erik Haula, another player over the age of 35, signed a multi-year deal with the Kings. Last season, he scored 14 goals and 38 points with the Nashville Predators.

Fellow Erik, Erik Gustafsson signed a one-year deal with a cap hit of $1 million. The 34-year-old defenceman played just two NHL games last season, instead spending his season with the Detroit Red Wings’ American Hockey League team.

Additionally, the Kings re-signed one of their trade deadline acquisitions, Scott Laughton, to a three-year deal with a cap hit of $3.5 million. They also re-signed their big deadline acquisition, Artemi Panarin, during the season.

Realistically, the Kings are going to be eliminated in the first round, that is if they make it.

Cynthia Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for DFO Calgary, DFO Edmonton, and Blue Jays Nation. She can be followed on Twitter @CynthiaRDelaney.

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