New Additions: F Joel Armia (2yr x $2.5M AAV), F Corey Perry (1yr x $2M), D Cody Ceci (4yr x $4.5M AAV), D Brian Dumoulin (3yr x $4M AAV), G Anton Forsberg (2yr x $2.25M AAV), D Samuel Bolduc (1yr x $775k), F Logan Brown (1yr x $775k)

Subtractions: D Jordan Spence (to OTT), D Vladislav Gavrikov (to NYR), F Tanner Jeannot (to BOS), F Trevor Lewis (FA), G David Rittich (to NYI)

Retentions/Extensions: G Phoenix Copley (1yr x $775k), F Andrei Kuzmenko (1yr x $4.3M), F Alex Laferriere (3yr x $4.1M AAV)

Los Angeles has quietly been one of the better teams in the NHL over the past four seasons.  Last year was probably the best iteration of the Kings since their Cup in 2014. The team had a top half offense in terms of goals per game (3.04, 14th in the NHL), allowed the second fewest goals per game (2,48), and had the best home record in the league (31-6-4). It finally looked like they were going to advance to the second round after taking a 2-0 series lead over the Oilers, and up 4-3 heading into the third period of Game 3. The team then fell apart, allowing 4 goals in the third, giving Edmonton new life, and LA dropped the next three games to ultimately lose the series in six games. Unfortunately, a first round exit to the Edmonton Oilers has been the result for four straight years. 

Despite the disappointing result in the postseason, there were lots of positives from the 24-25 campaign. For starters, their new starter. Darcy Kuemper came to the team last offseason after the team sent Pierre-Luc Dubois and his $8.5M cap hit to Washington in exchange for the netminder. Since Jonathan Quick, the Kings have been searching for stability at the position, and Kuemper had a phenomenal season, posting a 31-11-7 record, along with a .922 SV% and a 2.00 GAA, he came third in Vezina voting. He has two more years under contract and appears to be the Kings short term answer in net. Behind him is newly signed Anton Forsberg who has appeared in 134 games for the Ottawa Senators over the last four seasons, he should be a solid backup in LA.

After some speculation, it was confirmed this past week that this season will be captain Anze Kopitar’s twentieth and final year in the NHL. The two-time Stanley Cup Champion has spent his entire career with the team, playing more games as a Los Angeles King than anyone else, with a team record 1454 regular season games played. He also ranks first in assists, and is 29 points away from passing Marcel Dione to become the franchise’s all time leading scorer. Scoring has been a strong part of Kopitar’s game, but he does so much more than contribute offensively. He has won the Selke trophy twice, being recognized as the best defensive forward for that season, and is a three time recipient of the Lady Byng Trophy, given to the ‘player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability’. Additionally, he is known to be one of the best leaders in the game, having served as team captain since 2016, and winning the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2022. What an incredible career by the Slovenian centerman.

The team is hopeful that they have their future number one center already on the roster, Quinton Byfield. Taken 2nd overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, Byfield has had an up and down start to his career. The 23 year old has shown flashes that show why he was a number two pick, scoring incredible highlight reel goals, and making plays to set up his teammates. However, he has only managed 142 points in 260 career games. He has recorded 55 and 54 points in the last two seasons, showing improvements, yet the team is still holding out hope that he can take his game to another level. He has been a breakout candidate for a couple seasons now, and with Kopitar being done after this season, he needs to prove that the team can count on him to be relied upon.

Now he is not planning to retire, but Adrian Kempe is on an expiring deal, and could also be gone from the team at the start of next season. The Kings cannot afford to lose Kempe, as he has been the team’s most dangerous offensive player for the past few seasons. I am sure there is mutual interest in working out a deal to keep him in LA, but he may be intrigued to test the open market, especially with the cap going up. 

The reason I say the team cannot afford to lose Kempe is because their offense lacks star power, instead it has a bunch of great complimentary players, but in this league you need top end talent in order to compete. Kevin Fiala is probably the team’s third best forward, but I question his ability to carry an offense, as he is best when he is not the opponent’s primary focus. His numbers took a step back last season, as 60 points on the year was a dropoff from him recording 70+ for the previous three seasons. Forwards like Warren Foegele, Trevor Moore and Alex Laferriere are good for ~20 goals and 40-50 points a season. The Kings are hoping for a big year from Andrei Kuzmenko who was superb after being brought in at the deadline, with 23 points in 28 games between the regular season and playoffs. They cautiously re-signed him to a one year contract, as he has had a tendency to fall off in production after starting hot with a new team. Phillip Danault will never be a point per game forward, but he is a great two way center and is tasked with playing against some of the best players on opposing teams. Alex Turcotte is looking to have a good year, as he finally spent a full season in the NHL last year, 5 years removed from being taken 5th overall in 2019. Corey Perry and Joel Armia were signed to add to their depth, with Perry, this team could be primed for a Cup Finals appearance.

Eventually Drew Doughty will have his farewell season too, but not this year, he remains the team’s number one defenceman. Doughty is hoping for a healthier season as he was limited to 30 games in the regular season last year after injuring his ankle in a preseason game. Mikey Anderson is an underrated D-man in the league, and has been a huge piece of this Kings defensive corps for a few seasons now. Brandt Clarke logged his first full season in the pros, and hopes to improve with another year under his belt. He was selected 8th overall in 2021, and the team is hoping he can take over PP1 duties from Doughty at some point, and blossom into the team’s next number one. A couple of veteran defencemen were added in free agency in Cody Ceci (4yr x $4.5M AAV), and Brian Dumoulin (3yr x $4M AAV). With Gavrikov leaving for the Big Apple, the two of them will be relied upon to try and replace him early in the season.

This is a big year for the Kings, it might be their last chance at doing anything with this specific group. Not only because Kopitar is retiring after the year, but their starting goalie is 35, and Drew Doughty turns 36 in December. Some key players on this roster are nearing the end of their careers, and the youth on this team has not done quite enough for people to be confident in the Kings future. Additionally, Kempe could be gone next summer, a player you cannot just replace overnight. Given their recent success in the regular season, the Kings should make the playoffs, but I do not love their offseason acquisitions, as they got older and slower. They could be a candidate to fall out of the playoffs if a team who missed them last year improves.