It is that time again, time to run through the Los Angeles Kings to see who figures to return for the 2026-27 season and who might call another NHL team home — or might be out of the NHL altogether.
The Kings did make the playoffs again, but the season — and yet another first-round loss — clearly was not roundly celebrated. But, much to potential dismay, this exercise will not include executives or coaches. Why not?
1. The most cut-and-dried reason is, they’re not part of this annual piece.
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2. In the case of team president Luc Robitaille, that is up to people such as team owner Philip Anschutz and AEG president Dan Beckerman. In the case of general manager Ken Holland, he just finished his first year, and he was Robitaille’s hire. We will assume that Robitaille and Holland are on safe ground.
3. The Kings appear to waiting — along with other teams — to see if Vegas will allow Bruce Cassidy to formally talk to them about their coaching job. And there could be other candidates. The Anaheim Ducks won’t stand in the way of assistant coach Jay Woodcroft pursuing vacancies, even if one is with Anaheim’s biggest rival. That also leaves interim coach D.J. Smith to patiently let the situation play out.
So, it’s just easier to keep this about the players. Who might stay, and who might go? This list often starts with a group of “untouchable” players, but not this time. Because there aren’t any.
Not going anywhere
Mikey Anderson
Anderson carries positive five-on-five play metrics across the board and chews important minutes for the Kings. Would they be better off if he was a shutdown presence on a second pairing? Probably. He’s signed well into the future and is in the mix to be the next captain. Not saying it will happen, but there’s a Mattias Norstrom vibe to that move.
Quinton Byfield
Part of the Kings’ dilemma in the post-Anze Kopitar world is that they really need a star center to pair with Byfield. And Byfield taking the throne from Kopitar as the Kings’ 1C carries its own questions. Using Byfield to trade for a superstar would just create another hole. As of now, he’s staying put, and the Kings must hope for an Adrian Kempe-like breakout.
Kevin Fiala
The Kings missed Fiala after he broke his leg while playing for Switzerland at the Olympics. And that says something, given the polarizing effect he gives off. Fiala is who he is at this point. The Kings take the bad with the good, which can include a high amount of secondary offense. He did find a home on L.A.’s second line before his injury.
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Anton Forsberg
By season’s end, Forsberg had outplayed Darcy Kuemper and clearly was the hot goalie down the stretch, strong enough to earn the net against Colorado in the playoffs. Forsberg is probably a satisfactory 1A or solid No. 2. For his $2.25 million cap number next season, that’s good value.
Adrian Kempe
Without any doubt, Kempe is the Kings’ best player. He led them in scoring for the third consecutive season, and this time his 73 points by far outpaced everyone else. That’s not a good thing, considering how other players significantly dropped off from previous years. Kempe, 29, is their star, and his eight-year, $85 million extension now kicks in.
Alex Laferriere
Laferriere, 24, has the look of a player who will be with the Kings for a dozen years. He continues to give them a little of everything: hockey sense, scoring ability, physical play, etc. While he struggled at the outset of the 2025-26 season after signing a three-year bridge extension ($4.1 million AAV), Laferriere finished with career-highs in goals (21) and assists (44).
Artemi Panarin
The Kings trading for Panarin, a 34-year-old winger, and signing him to a rich, two-year extension after he dictated where he wanted to go landed him in this category. Panarin did have 27 points in 26 games with the Kings. He also had two of their five playoff goals. Fun fact: Panarin had his 120-point season with Peter Laviolette as his coach. Laviolette is also available.
Staying put, almost certainly
Joel Armia
Armia was a solid addition for the Kings. He did basically what was expected, which was to have enough versatility to fit on multiple lines and be one of the Kings’ leading penalty-killers. Had the Kings’ wingers been more productive — outside of Kempe and Fiala — Armia would have given them more depth as a quality fourth-line piece.
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Cody Ceci
Like it or not — and it’s clear where many Kings fans stand — Ceci will be back because of his four-year contract, with a $4.5 million AAV, that is entering only its second season. Let this be a lesson for parents of prospective hockey players. Train your child to be a right-hand shot who is willing to play defense. NHL general managers love them.
Brandt Clarke
Before anyone frets about Clarke’s placement here, it’s only because he is an unsigned restricted free agent who will be part of the summer storyline. If he had already signed, it would be clear that the 23-year-old would not be going anywhere. He was their best blueliner in 2025-26. They wouldn’t trade him, right? Is it better to say, “Staying put … he’d better be”?
Drew Doughty
The greatest defenseman in franchise history is now 36, and while he played 72 games after rebounding from an injury-abbreviated 2024-25 season, his impact on games is dwindling. Still a capable defender, Doughty’s ice time in prime offensive situations is now Clarke’s domain. He’s entering the final year of his contract. Will it be his last in L.A.?
Brian Dumoulin
The real problem with Dumoulin isn’t the player himself — he’s not the disaster he’s often made to be. He’s competent and knows how to play with good players. It is more about the Kings having three of the same type of defensive blueliner – or four if you include Anderson. Dumoulin just started a three-year deal, so he’ll be back.
Joel Edmundson
What is happening with Ceci and Dumoulin is what was feared when Edmundson signed his four-year contract in the summer of 2024. He isn’t perfect, but he has been a solid partner for Clarke. In his two seasons, Edmundson has been on the ice for 31 more goals than against. Good goaltending helps, but he has done his part.
Samuel Helenius
Helenius signed to a two-year extension in December. He’s a big-bodied hitter who plays exclusively in five-on-five situations. He doesn’t bring much offense but he’s a hard worker who the Kings feel has some upside at a low price point. And even if he doesn’t improve, it’s not as if his $875,000 AAV is a burdensome contract.
Darcy Kuemper
The high point of Kuemper’s season was making the Olympic team for Canada. Last season’s Vezina Trophy finalist started strong but the results progressively fell off, and he lost his starting job during the Kings’ playoff push. He’s got one year left on his contract, with a $5.25 million cap hit. He could be a comeback candidate. He could be put on the trade market.
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Staying put, for another look
Alex Turcotte
The issue with Turcotte isn’t his health. He has suited up in 68 and 62 games, respectively, in the last two seasons. Last season was a step back, as the missed time were more about being a healthy scratch at times. Do the Kings know what they have in him? He’s versatile but hasn’t found a regular lineup home. But he is signed for next season and is still very cheap.
Taylor Ward
Ward, 28, got his first extensive time in the NHL with 36 games last season. He chipped in three goals and four assists, but he played fewer than 10 minutes in all but one of the final 18 games of the regular season. Still, a two-year contract extension puts him in position to win a job on the fourth line.
Jared Wright
Wright injected some speed into the Kings’ lineup after his call-up in the second half and he seemed to mesh well with Scott Laughton. His forechecking also fit into Smith’s more aggressive scheme. How much offensive potential comes with his speed is up for debate, but he has positioned himself to win a roster spot with a strong camp.
Staying put … we think
Trevor Moore
Moore, 31, just finished his sixth full season and steadily has become one of the longest-serving members of the Kings. He’s been up and down, and occasionally injured. He has had high points, such as his 31 goals in 2023-24, but also some lengthy offensive droughts. He has two more seasons left on his contract, which doesn’t have a no-trade clause.
The toughest decisions
Scott Laughton
The tough decision is more with Laughton than it is with the Kings, who would be frighteningly thin down the middle if they lost him and didn’t find an equal or better replacement. Laughton, 31, will draw offers in free agency. He fit well in the 3C role, rediscovering some offense to go with the grunt work he usually brings.
Jacob Moverare
The same might be said for Moverare, whom the Kings have long liked for his ability to provide organizational depth. But the 27-year-old has never been more than a fill-in and will now be a UFA. He could seek more playing time elsewhere. With the rise of multiple LHDs in their system, the Kings are in position to move on.
Tough to see them returning
Mathieu Joseph
Joseph’s familiarity with Smith during their time in Ottawa was one reason why the Kings signed him in March after the forward had his contract terminated by St. Louis. Joseph got in two playoff games but didn’t record a point in 14 total contests.
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Andrei Kuzmenko
The Kings need more offense. Kuzmenko is capable of that, but on a one-year, $4.3 million prove-it contract, he had 13 goals in 52 games and helped only in an intermittent sense before he underwent knee surgery in February. With Panarin aboard, he’s likely not needed.
Jeff Malott
Malott built on his strong first impression from 2024-25 and spent the entire season in L.A. while playing in 58 games. He probably wound up playing too much. Malott is a strong organizational journeyman and a pending UFA, so the Kings could keep him or let him walk to free up a spot.
