Kevin Fiala’s Season-Ending Injury Shakes Up Kings’ Playoff Push - Could Toronto’s Bobby McMann Be the Answer?
It’s the nightmare scenario no NHL team wants to face - losing a top-line scorer to injury during international play. That’s exactly what the Los Angeles Kings are dealing with now, as winger Kevin Fiala has suffered a season-ending injury while representing Switzerland at the Olympics. The injury occurred during a game against Team Canada, and while the exact nature of it hasn’t been made public, the aftermath was clear: Fiala’s season is over.
The Kings confirmed that Fiala underwent surgery in Italy, and while the team hasn’t released further details, it’s a brutal blow for both the player and the franchise. At 29 years old, Fiala was having one of his most productive seasons in Los Angeles. Only Adrian Kempe had more goals and points for the Kings this year, and Fiala’s offensive creativity and play-driving ability were central to the team’s push toward the postseason.
Now, with Fiala sidelined, the Kings are staring down a major challenge. They currently sit just three points out of a playoff spot and have been within striking distance of the second-place Edmonton Oilers in the Pacific Division. There’s still plenty of hockey left, and the Kings are very much in the mix - but the margin for error just got a lot thinner.
That’s where general manager Ken Holland finds himself in a tough but familiar position: trying to fill a key hole without mortgaging the future. And one name that’s starting to surface as a potential solution? Toronto Maple Leafs winger Bobby McMann.
McMann a Fit for LA’s Middle Six?
Let’s be clear - Bobby McMann isn’t Kevin Fiala. He’s not going to replicate Fiala’s playmaking or his ability to tilt the ice in the offensive zone.
But what McMann does bring is a gritty, north-south game that could fit nicely into the Kings’ middle six. He’s shown flashes of scoring touch, and his physicality is something that aligns well with the Kings’ identity - especially come playoff time.
With the March 6 trade deadline approaching, McMann is widely expected to be on the move. The Leafs are reportedly asking for a first-round pick in return, which might seem steep for a pending unrestricted free agent. But given the Kings’ current situation - needing immediate help to stay competitive without Fiala - the price might not be out of reach.
That’s the kind of leverage Toronto could capitalize on. For the Kings, it’s about weighing the urgency of this season against the cost of acquiring a rental.
McMann may not be a long-term solution, but he’s the kind of player who could help stabilize the lineup during a critical stretch. He brings energy, can chip in offensively, and plays with the kind of edge that tends to show up in the postseason.
Holland’s Dilemma: Push Now or Hold the Line?
Ken Holland has never been one to fold when the stakes are high. But this is a nuanced situation.
Giving up a first-round pick for a rental - especially one who doesn’t replace Fiala’s production - is a gamble. Still, with the Kings so close to a playoff spot and the window still open for a deep run, it’s a gamble that might be worth taking.
The Kings have built a roster that’s been knocking on the door for the last couple of years. Losing Fiala is a major setback, but it doesn’t have to be a death sentence for their season. Whether it’s McMann or another trade target, expect Holland to explore every option to keep this team in the fight.
For now, all eyes are on how the Kings respond - both on the ice and in the front office. The next few weeks will tell us a lot about where this team is headed.