Kings Target Nov. 1 Return for Kevin Fiala
Ken Holland laid out injury timelines for Kevin Fiala, Mats Zuccarello and Brian Dumoulin on the first day of Los Angeles training camp.
Kevin Fiala is not on the ice yet, and the Los Angeles Kings are hoping to have him in the lineup by Nov. 1.
That was the headline from general manager Ken Holland's season-opening availability Thursday, the first day of Kings training camp. Fiala underwent a follow-up procedure announced by the team earlier this month, and Holland said he was unable to do much in the way of working out for two weeks afterward because heavy sweating could interfere with healing.
The plan from there is gradual. Fiala starts on the ice one-on-one with John Odgers, who leads sports performance for the organization, then progresses to hockey work with assistant coach Derik Johnson, with a return to the full group a couple of weeks out. Holland's stated hope is Nov. 1. The Kings play 12 games in October, just six of them in the first three weeks.
Mats Zuccarello is the least complicated of the three. He wore a red non-contact jersey Thursday after falling during a captain's skate last week and sustaining what Holland described as a minor shoulder injury. Zuccarello took most drills, rotating in with Alex Turcotte and Alex Laferriere, but avoided contact in the corners. Holland said he is expected to be cleared next week and to play in the season opener at Colorado on Sept. 30.
Brian Dumoulin is the murkiest. He did not pass his physical Wednesday and was undergoing additional testing Thursday. He was not on the ice for Day 1, and Holland had nothing further to offer on his status.
Holland also addressed Drew Doughty's contract, with the new captain entering the final season of his deal. Both sides agreed this summer to hold off, with an extension likely to come late in the 2026-27 season or after it.
"Drew has no desire to go anywhere," Holland said. "You just see his passion for the LA Kings. You guys are all watching what's going on around the league with contracts, so we've got to find a solution that is good for Drew and is good for the LA Kings. He's not going anywhere and I want him to be here beyond this season."
