Day 1 of NHL free agency gave the Los Angeles Kings exactly the kind of jolt they were looking for. General manager Ken Holland wasted no time, landing moves that helped with center depth and added a top-six playmaker, giving the roster a different look almost immediately.
Even with the early wave of signings mostly behind them across the league, there are still veteran free agents sitting out there. That leaves Holland and the Kings with another chance to chip away at the remaining holes before training camp and the preseason arrive this fall.
One of the more intriguing names still available is Patrik Laine. The former Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets winger brings real upside, and if he’s healthy, he still has the kind of scoring touch that can change a lineup fast. The catch is obvious: Laine hasn’t played more than 60 games in a regular season since 2019-20, so any team signing him would be taking on some risk.
That’s why Laine fits the mold of a medium-risk, high-reward addition. He could give the Kings another dangerous scorer and an electric offensive presence, but he would also be a bigger gamble than the moves Holland and the team have made so far this offseason. Still, on a short-term deal, there’s a path for Laine to outplay the contract and become one of the better value swings on the market.
And Laine isn’t the only veteran who could make sense in Los Angeles. With free agency slowing down, the Kings still have room to keep building before camp opens. The right unsigned veteran could add scoring, experience, and depth - exactly the kind of ingredients they’re still chasing.
In Other News...
Scott Laughton Just Gave Kings Fans A Reason To Believe
The first day of unrestricted free agency gave the Kings a pair of veteran center additions, with Erik Haula and Scott Laughton both landing multi-year contracts as Los Angeles kept working to deepen its roster. For a team trying to build something sturdier under coach Jim Hiller, the appeal of adding experienced middle-of-the-ice help was obvious, but Laughtons return in particular carried a little extra weight because it spoke to more than just cap space and lineup fit.
Laughton said the locker room environment, the front offices moves and family considerations all played into his decision to stay in Los Angeles, a sign the Kings are selling more than a short-term pitch to free agents. In a market where players have choices, getting one to choose the Kings again suggests the organization is building some real trust, and that matters as much as any signing on the first day of July. [Read more 🡒]