When the free agency window opened on Wednesday morning, Ken Holland didn’t chase the loudest headline. Instead, the Los Angeles Kings moved quickly to collect experienced veterans, add depth, and make a series of low-risk signings that point toward the shape of the roster for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
That approach defined Day 1. The Kings made six new free agent signings and also re-signed a handful of players, with the goal of giving new head coach Peter Laviolette more options and more offense as the roster gets reloaded.
Some of the moves are designed to help right away. Others are about strengthening the organization from top to bottom.
Including Scott Laughton’s contract extension, the early returns on the Kings’ work in free agency can be graded one move at a time.
Erik Gustafsson came in at a D. The Kings added the former Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers defenseman as part of their veteran-heavy opening day, and the fit comes with both upside and questions.
There was some hesitation around the signing because the Kings still need more impact on the blue line, but the price helped soften that concern. Gustafsson agreed to a one-year deal worth $1 million in base value, which gives Los Angeles a veteran puck mover at a bargain rate.
That matters because Gustafsson brings more than just experience. He’s a defenseman who can move the puck, and he’s done it in Laviolette’s system with the Rangers and the Washington Capitals in recent years. For a team trying to reshape its lineup without making one giant splash, that kind of familiarity and affordability has real value.
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Avalanche Day One Move Looks Like A Direct Answer Up Front
Los Angeles added a familiar name in Mats Zuccarello on a one-year deal, a move that fits the kind of low-risk, veteran-driven planning teams lean on this time of year. At this stage of his career, Zuccarello still brings the sort of puck sense and offensive touch that can help a roster looking to round out its forward group, especially if the club wants another experienced option who can settle in quickly without changing the rooms balance.
For the Kings, the appeal is less about splash and more about fit, and that is what makes this signing worth watching. In a summer full of player movement around the league, including Colorados addition of Jaden Schwartz and other notable changes elsewhere, Los Angeles is trying to address a specific need up front with a player whose value depends on how well he meshes with what is already there. The next step is seeing where he lands in the lineup and how much responsibility the Kings give him right away. [Read more 🡒]