The Los Angeles Kings spent the offseason making themselves look a lot more complete, and Sportsnet’s Pacific Division grades reflected that.
General manager Ken Holland drew mostly positive reviews for the work he’s done over the past couple of months, and for good reason. The Kings attacked some obvious roster needs, brought in a new voice behind the bench, and gave the group a different shape heading into the season. Sportsnet’s assessment was a solid one, and it matched the general sense that Los Angeles took a real step forward this summer.
Peter Laviolette’s arrival as head coach stands out as one of the biggest changes. He brings experience, and the expectation is that he’ll help push the offense and the power play in the right direction. The Kings also added veteran help in the middle of the lineup, with winger Mats Zuccarello and center Erik Haula giving the forward group more depth and more proven production than it had at this point a year ago.
There’s also a clear reason for optimism around Artemi Panarin. He’ll play a full season in the black and silver for the first time, and that matters. Pair that with the extra firepower the Kings added to the top six through Zuccarello, and the offense should have a better chance to keep pace over the course of the year.
Still, the offseason didn’t erase every concern.
Los Angeles did not solve the problem of replacing Anze Kopitar, not in one summer, and the blue line still doesn’t have another puck-moving defenseman added to the mix. Those are real gaps, and they help explain why the Kings’ offseason grade stops short of anything higher.
The larger issue hanging over Holland and the franchise remains the same one that’s been there for years: five straight first-round playoff exits. That history makes it harder to hand out a full benefit of the doubt, no matter how active the front office was this offseason.
So while the Kings clearly improved, especially up front, the next step is the one that matters most. Better on paper is one thing. Getting past the first round is something else entirely.
In Other News...
Anze Kopitar Just Took His Place Among Kings Legends
Anze Kopitars run in Los Angeles has reached the point where the Kings are preparing to honor him in the rarest way possible. On February 24, 2027, the team will retire his No. 11 jersey and unveil a statue of him outside Crypto.com Arena, a fitting next step for a player who spent 20 seasons in black and silver and left his mark across the franchise record book.
Kopitar finishes his Kings career as the clubs all-time leader in games played, points and assists, with two Stanley Cup titles to his name as well. The statue will place him alongside Wayne Gretzky, Luc Robitaille and Dustin Brown outside the arena, a list that says as much about his place in team history as any number ever could. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Training Camp Battle Could Force A Rookie Onto Opening Night Roster
Training camp this fall will give Peter Laviolette his first real look at a Kings roster with some fresh competition baked in, and the rookie group is part of what makes the picture interesting. Los Angeles has several young players pushing for openings, with Jared Wright, Angus Booth and Martin Chromiak among the names drawing the most attention because of their previous NHL exposure and the progress they have made in the system.
Chromiak, in particular, adds another layer to the mix after the Kings signed him to a one-year, two-way contract extension for the 2026-27 season. Even with that kind of organizational commitment, nothing is guaranteed once camp opens, and the battle for a spot on opening night could come down to which young player proves he can make the cleanest case in a new coach's first camp. [Read more 🡒]