The Kings are betting that Mats Zuccarello still has plenty left in the tank, and they didn’t have to spend much to find out. Los Angeles signed the veteran winger to a one-year, $1 million deal early this offseason, with the contract carrying up to $5.5 million in performance bonuses. The idea is straightforward: add a proven creator who can help the top six and give the power play a sharper edge.
That’s the role Zuccarello is walking into, and it fits what the Kings need. He’s coming off another productive season with Minnesota, one that showed he can still drive offense even at 38 years old.
In 59 games, he put up 15 goals, 39 assists and 54 points, and he extended his streak of 50-point seasons to five straight. He also made his presence felt in the biggest moments, scoring late and producing on the power play for one of the Western Conference’s top regular-season teams.
The underlying numbers back up the production. Zuccarello posted a 12.3 shooting percentage, 2.9 points per 60, 4.9 point shares and 0.9 WAR last season.
His possession profile was strong too, with a 59.5 CF%, 63.6 SCF%, 100.8 PDO and 61.8 HDCF%. Even while missing 23 games, he ranked in the top 10 percentile in offensive-zone time percentage and offensive-zone start percentage in all situations.
That kind of puck control is exactly why the Kings brought him in for Peter Laviolette’s system, which is built around spending more time attacking. If Zuccarello can keep the puck in the offensive zone and keep plays alive, he should be a clean fit.
Los Angeles is expected to use him on the second line alongside Kevin Fiala and Erik Haula. He should also see meaningful power-play time with the top unit that includes Artemi Panarin, Adrian Kempe, Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke.
There are obvious age questions here - Zuccarello just turned 39 on Sept. 1 - and it’s probably unrealistic to expect him to play all 84 games. But the Kings don’t need that. They need reliable top-six playmaking, steady special-teams production and the kind of vision that can make skilled teammates better.
If he gets to 60 to 65 games, stays around the 50-point mark and helps the power play run cleaner, that would be a win for Los Angeles. He doesn’t have to be the team’s leading scorer. He just has to be the connector who makes the offense hum a little more often.
In Other News...
Kings Fans Just Lost A Memorable Voice From Their Gretzky Era
Barry Melrose, one of hockeys most recognizable voices and personalities, has died at 70, leaving behind a career that bridged the bench and the broadcast booth. For Kings fans, his name carries a special kind of weight from the Gretzky era, when his arrival behind the bench brought instant attention and a louder edge to a team already living under a bright spotlight.
Melrose later became a familiar presence to a national audience through ESPN, where his sharp style and unmistakable delivery made him stand out for years. He stepped away from broadcasting in 2023 after being diagnosed with Parkinsons disease, and his death closes the book on a figure who left his mark in more than one corner of the sport. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Open Camp With Kevin Fiala Facing A Troubling Recovery Setback
Kevin Fialas offseason recovery has hit another snag just as Kings training camp opens, leaving one of their most important forwards on the sideline longer than expected. The winger had been working his way back from the leg injury that ended his season early, and there had been signs of progress before this latest turn slowed everything down again.
The setback traces back to the fracture he suffered while playing for Switzerland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, an injury that required surgery and forced Los Angeles to plan without him for the stretch run. For a Kings team looking to get organized at camp and build early momentum, Fialas status adds an immediate layer of uncertainty to the forward group. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Fourth Line Suddenly Carries A Bigger Role Than Fans Expected
The Kings expected third line has a chance to do more than just take tough shifts and survive against depth competition. Corey Perry brings the kind of veteran scoring touch that can still tilt a game, Joel Armia adds a little bit of finish and some edge, and Samuel Helenius gives Los Angeles a look at a bigger, more defensive-minded center who can handle difficult minutes if the group holds together.
Helenius does come with some obvious caution, though, because the Kings have reason to keep an eye on his discipline and the way that can affect a nightly role. Armias physical game and ability to chip in offense give the line a useful floor, while Perrys presence could end up determining whether this group is merely serviceable or actually a real weapon for the Kings. [Read more 🡒]