Kings Bet on Veterans After Missing Playoffs Again

The Kings missed the playoffs for the second straight year, finishing fourth in the Pacific with 90 points. They responded by hiring Peter Laviolette as head coach in June and adding veteran help in free agency, according to NHL.com. The moves address real needs, but the core problems from 2025-26 remain unresolved.

Last season in review

Los Angeles scored 225 goals and allowed 247, a minus-22 goal differential that reflected deeper issues. Artemi Panarin led the team with 84 points (28 goals, 56 assists), while Adrian Kempe posted 36 goals and 73 points. Quinton Byfield took a step forward with 49 points. The real trouble was in net: Darcy Kuemper went 19-14-15 with an .891 save percentage, well below the league average. The defense allowed too many quality chances, and the goaltending couldn't bail them out.

Ins and outs

• In: Peter Laviolette (hired as head coach)
• In: Brandt Clarke (signed to a five-year contract extension)
• In: Jan Jenik (signed to a one-year contract)
• In: Lane Pederson (signed to a one-year contract)
• In: Francesco Pinelli (signed to a one-year contract)
• In: Elton Hermansson (drafted 19th overall, signed to an entry-level contract)

The Kings made 11 selections at the 2026 NHL Draft, restocking the prospect pool. No major departures have been confirmed. The roster picture is still taking shape, but the focus has been on depth additions and locking down young defenseman Clarke long-term.

The big question

Can the goaltending improve enough to keep this team competitive? Kuemper's .891 save percentage was a drag on the entire season, and no upgrade has been announced. If the Kings get even league-average goaltending, they're a playoff team. If not, they're treading water again.

X-factor

Brandt Clarke could be the difference. The 22-year-old defenseman signed a five-year extension in June, signaling the Kings believe he's ready for a bigger role. If he can drive play from the back end and help stabilize a shaky defense, Los Angeles has a chance to climb back into the postseason picture. If he struggles, the blue line remains a liability.

Bold prediction

The Kings will finish third in the Pacific and return to the playoffs. Laviolette's structure and a healthier Kuemper will be enough to squeeze them into the postseason, but they won't make it past the first round.

The outlook

Los Angeles opens the season on the road against Colorado on September 30. The Kings have talent up front and a new voice behind the bench, but the margins are thin. They need better goaltending, steadier defense, and Laviolette to get more out of a roster that underperformed last year. The Pacific is wide open, but this team has to prove it can fix what went wrong in 2025-26.