Summer Coolers – Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings enter 2026-27 as the NHL’s oldest team and perhaps one of its biggest short-term gambles. After finishing fourth in the Pacific with 90 points, Los Angeles finally avoided another first-round matchup with Edmonton—only to draw the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche and get swept. Now Peter Laviolette takes over behind the bench, Anze Kopitar has retired, and GM Ken Holland has doubled down on veteran experience. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether the Kings have enough left for one more playoff run or whether age is finally about to catch up with them.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:00:00] Peter Laviolette takes over as head coach after DJ Smith, who had replaced Jim Hiller. The Kings finished fourth in the Pacific with 90 points.
[00:00:25] After four consecutive playoff eliminations against Edmonton, LA finally avoids the Oilers—only to draw Colorado and get swept in four games.
[00:00:45] The Kings have not won a playoff series since defeating the New York Rangers to capture the 2014 Stanley Cup.
[00:01:00] The numbers reveal major problems. LA’s offense falls from 14th to 29th, while the power play finishes 28th at 17 percent.
[00:01:20] The defense remains respectable, tied for sixth, but the penalty kill plunges from eighth the previous season all the way to 30th.
[00:01:40] There are no major trade acquisitions during the offseason, while defenseman Brandt Clarke re-signs for five years at $7.4 million per season.
[00:02:00] Ken Holland again turns toward veteran players, beginning with Corey Perry returning for a second stint with the Kings. Perry will be 41 and signs for one year at $1 million plus potential bonuses.
[00:02:20] Erik Haula arrives at age 35, defenseman Erik Gustafsson is 34, and 32-year-old Scott Laughton re-signs for three years at $3.5 million annually.
[00:02:40] Matt Zuccarello joins at age 38 on a heavily incentive-based contract, adding yet another veteran to what is already the NHL’s oldest roster.
[00:03:00] Drew Doughty turns 37, while Artemi Panarin is also well into his 30s. Neil and Vic believe LA desperately needs production from Panarin, Adrian Kempe, and Quinton Byfield.
[00:03:20] The biggest departure is captain Anze Kopitar, who retires after a legendary Kings career. His No. 11 will eventually join the franchise’s honored numbers in the rafters.
[00:03:40] Doughty could become captain during the final year of his contract, but replacing Kopitar’s presence and leadership will be extremely difficult.
[00:04:00] Neil explains the problem with relying on older players: there is very little upside. Veterans generally maintain their previous level or begin declining rather than suddenly improving.
[00:04:20] He still believes LA has a more complete roster than some Pacific Division competitors, but sees the Kings as extremely close to the playoff bubble.
[00:04:40] Injuries could become devastating because an older roster may not possess enough depth to withstand losing important players for extended periods.
[00:05:00] LA was the only one of the 16 playoff teams last season to have a losing home record.
[00:05:15] The Kings also suffered 20 overtime or shootout losses. With an offense ranked 29th, finding just a few additional goals in those situations could dramatically change their position in the standings.
[00:05:35] Kopitar may not have been the offensive force he was earlier in his career, but Neil emphasizes that losing his leadership could have an enormous impact.
[00:05:55] One potential reason for optimism is Laviolette. Neil points to his history of producing strong results during his first season with new teams.
[00:06:15] Whether in New York, Washington, Nashville, or elsewhere, Laviolette has often generated an immediate response with his new voice and approach.
[00:06:30] Neil believes Holland may be counting on that first-year Laviolette effect to squeeze one more playoff appearance out of this veteran roster before the Kings are forced to inject significantly more youth.
Los Angeles is built to win now, but the margin for error is razor-thin. If the veterans remain healthy and Laviolette produces his typical first-year boost, the Kings could fight for a wild-card position. If age, injuries, and their offensive problems catch up with them, the transition toward a younger era may arrive much sooner.
