Kevin Fiala’s Season Ends with Olympic Injury: What It Means for the Kings
The worst-case scenario has become reality for Kevin Fiala and the Los Angeles Kings. After sustaining an injury while representing Switzerland at the Olympics, Fiala underwent surgery in Italy and will miss the remainder of the NHL regular season. It’s a brutal blow for a player who was thriving in LA and beaming with pride on the international stage.
Fiala’s absence is more than just a lineup change - it’s a gut punch to a Kings team that’s battling for playoff positioning in a tightly packed Pacific Division. With 18 goals and 40 points on the season, Fiala ranks second on the team in both categories. He’s been a key driver of offense, a playmaker with the kind of speed and creativity that opens up space for everyone around him.
And with the recent addition of Artemi Panarin, the Kings were on the verge of rolling out a top-six that could go toe-to-toe with anyone in the West. That vision - Fiala and Panarin sharing the ice, creating mismatches, and giving LA a legitimate scoring punch - will now have to wait.
Life Without Fiala: The Kings’ Next Steps
The Kings don’t have the luxury of pausing to regroup. Coming out of the Olympic break, they’re staring down three games in four nights. Head coach Jim Hiller has to find answers quickly, both in terms of lineup structure and long-term roster strategy.
Let’s break down what this means for the Kings moving forward.
Cap Space Isn’t the Issue
First, the financials. Fiala’s $7.875 million cap hit could be moved to long-term injured reserve (LTIR), freeing up space for LA to make a move. But here’s the thing - they don’t actually need the relief.
The Kings are already projected to have more than $15 million in cap space heading into the Trade Deadline. That’s more than enough flexibility to add a significant piece or even two. So while placing Fiala on LTIR gives them some breathing room, it’s more about roster mechanics than cap desperation.
Still, there’s a bit of cap gymnastics involved. To maximize the benefit of LTIR, the Kings will want to be as close to the salary cap ceiling as possible before officially moving Fiala.
That could mean calling someone up from the AHL or activating a player like Alex Turcotte off injured reserve once the NHL’s roster freeze is lifted. The goal: carry a full 23-man roster and be right up against the cap before triggering LTIR status.
Who Gets the Call?
When it comes to internal options, Andre Lee is the name to watch. The 6-foot-5 winger has had a few short stints with the big club over the past two seasons and is currently leading the AHL’s Ontario Reign in goals. GM Ken Holland even name-dropped him during his recent media availability following the Panarin trade - a subtle but telling nod to Lee’s potential role.
Other names in the mix include Kenny Connors, Franky Pinelli, and Martin Chromiak - all young forwards who’ve been developing in Ontario and could be ready for a look, depending on how the Kings want to fill the gap.
Why Warren Foegele Just Became Even More Important
There’s been chatter around the league about Warren Foegele’s trade value, but don’t expect the Kings to move him now. With Fiala out, Foegele’s role becomes even more critical. He’s a reliable middle-six winger who brings pace, grit, and two-way responsibility - exactly the kind of player you need in a playoff push.
Moving him would only create another hole in a lineup that’s already lost a major piece. Instead, expect the Kings to lean on Foegele even more in the coming weeks.
Still Buyers at the Deadline
Don’t expect the Fiala injury to change LA’s mindset at the Trade Deadline. This team has made it clear - they’re not rebuilding, they’re reloading. The Panarin trade was a bold signal of intent, and with the deadline looming on March 7, the Kings are still expected to be active.
Center depth remains a priority. Even before Fiala went down, GM Ken Holland was exploring options down the middle. That search continues, and the team is likely to pursue a pivot who can slot into the middle six and help drive possession.
One name that continues to generate buzz is Elias Pettersson. He’s been heating up at the Olympics, including a two-goal performance that featured the game-winner.
Sweden recently moved him to a line with Filip Forsberg, and the chemistry was immediate. While there’s no indication a deal is imminent, it’s clear the Kings are monitoring the situation closely.
Where Do the Kings Go from Here?
There’s no sugarcoating it - losing Kevin Fiala is a major setback. He’s a dynamic offensive weapon and a key part of what the Kings hoped would be a deep postseason run. But the NHL doesn’t wait, and neither can LA.
With ample cap space, a deep farm system, and a front office that’s already shown it’s willing to swing big, the Kings are still in the thick of the playoff hunt. The road just got tougher, but this team still has the tools to compete.
The next few weeks will be telling. How they respond to this adversity - both on the ice and in the front office - could define their season.