The Los Angeles Kings passed on a familiar name this offseason, and the decision came down to more than just sentiment. Andrei Kuzmenko, who put up 25 points in 52 games with Los Angeles last season, hit unrestricted free agency and landed with the Pittsburgh Penguins on a one-year deal worth $5 million in average annual value.
For a player who quickly won over fans, that exit stung. Kuzmenko brought a different look to the Kings’ wing - quick hands, sharp puck handling and the kind of offensive creativity that can change the feel of a shift in a hurry. At 5-foot-11, the lean Russian forward played with energy and flair, and there were stretches where that skill set gave Los Angeles a real boost.
His numbers with the Kings were better in 2025-26 than they had been the year before. He finished with 13 goals and 25 points in 52 games, a clear step up from his 2024-25 line of five goals and 17 points in 44 games split between the Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers and Kings. That rebound showed he could still produce when given the chance.
But the Kings also had to weigh the other side of the ledger. Kuzmenko’s time in Los Angeles came with inconsistency, and the production didn’t always match the flashes. He could look dangerous one night and disappear the next, which made it harder to count on him as a steady piece of the lineup.
The gap between Kuzmenko’s best stretch and his recent seasons was hard to ignore. In 81 games with the Vancouver Canucks during the 2022-23 season, he exploded for 39 goals and 74 points.
Since then, keeping that level going proved difficult. His game still leaned heavily on offense, especially on the power play, but the Kings needed more than a one-dimensional scoring threat.
Health was part of the equation too. Kuzmenko missed 30 games during the 2025-26 season after suffering a torn meniscus on February 25, 2026. With that kind of uncertainty attached, Los Angeles couldn’t justify tying up $5 million a year in a player whose role had already shifted.
So the Kings made the hard call and let him walk. For fans, it was a frustrating outcome, especially with Kuzmenko’s chemistry with teammates such as former captain Anže Kopitar and the energy he brought every night. But from the front office’s point of view, the move kept cap space open and preserved flexibility for the long term.
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