Last Word on Hockey’s Puck Drop Previews are back for the 2025-26 season! As the regular season approaches, Last Word will preview each team’s current outlook and stories to watch for the upcoming year. We’ll also do our best to project how things will go for each team throughout the campaign. Today, we’re previewing 2025-26 Los Angeles Kings season.
2025-26 Los Angeles Kings
2024-25 Season Recap
The Los Angeles Kings posted a 48-25-9 record, good for 105 points and a second-place finish in the Pacific Division. On paper, it was another successful regular season, but the team once again stumbled in the first round of the playoffs, continuing a trend of early exits that has haunted the franchise since its last Cup run in 2014.
Los Angeles scored 249 goals (14th in the NHL) while allowing just 203 against, the second-fewest in the league. That defensive structure made them one of the toughest teams to score against, but questions lingered about whether they had the offensive firepower to keep up with the West’s elite in the postseason.
2024-25 Season
Adrian Kempe led the way with 35 goals and 73 points, cementing himself as the Kings’ most dangerous finisher. Anže Kopitar, at age 37, continued to defy the aging curve with 67 points, while also capturing his third Lady Byng Trophy. Kevin Fiala added 60 points as a creative playmaker and power-play driver.
The season also highlighted the development of the team’s young core. Quinton Byfield put up 54 points, nearly matching his 2023-24 production, while shouldering more responsibility in the top six. Alex Laferriere enjoyed a breakout season, contributing 42 points and emerging as a legitimate top-six option.
On defence, Drew Doughty logged over 24 minutes per game, anchoring the blue line with steady two-way play. His partner, Mikey Anderson, remained reliable in a shutdown role. However, beyond the top pairing, inconsistency plagued the Kings, especially after the departure of Vladislav Gavrikov. Depth defenders struggled to handle extended minutes, exposing the team’s lack of balance on the back end.
Goaltending was a bright spot. Darcy Kuemper delivered a resurgent campaign, finishing with a 31-11-7 record, a 2.02 goals-against average, and a .922 save percentage, earning a nomination as a Vezina Trophy finalist. Backup David Rittich carried a heavier load than expected, appearing in 34 games, but his .886 save percentage and 2.84 GAA underscored the need for more stability behind Kuemper.
The overall picture was clear: Los Angeles remained a strong regular-season team, but until they solved their depth issues and playoff scoring woes, they would remain stuck in neutral come April.
2024-25 Off-Season
The Kings’ front office entered the summer determined to retool. While they didn’t overhaul the core, they made targeted moves to add toughness, defensive reliability, and playoff experience.
Additions
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Corey Perry (RW): Signed to provide veteran leadership, playoff experience, and a net-front presence on the power play.
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Joel Armia (RW): Adds size and responsible two-way play, expected to feature on the penalty kill.
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Cody Ceci (D): A right-shot defender with shutdown ability who will eat important minutes.
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Brian Dumoulin (D): A stay-at-home veteran with two Stanley Cup rings, adding size and stability to the bottom pair.
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Anton Forsberg (G): Acquired to form a tandem with Kuemper, Forsberg brings starting experience and gives Los Angeles much-needed insurance in net.
Departures
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Vladislav Gavrikov (D): Traded to the New York Rangers after contract talks fell through.
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Jordan Spence (D): Moved to Ottawa, costing the Kings a puck-moving option.
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Tanner Jeannot (LW): Sent to Boston, removing a source of grit and physicality.
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David Rittich (G): Signed with the New York Islanders.
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Trevor Lewis (C): A two-time Stanley Cup champion and longtime King, not re-signed and currently a free agent.
These moves signalled a shift toward building a tougher, more playoff-ready roster. Perry and Armia will bolster the bottom six, Dumoulin and Ceci bring veteran defensive depth, and Forsberg provides a safety net in goal.
Projected Lineup for 2025-26
Forwards
Kuzmenko – Kopitar – Kempe
Fiala – Byfield – Laferriere
Foegele – Danault – Moore
Perry – Turcotte – Armia
Top Six
For the 2025-26 Los Angeles Kings season, the first line of Andrei Kuzmenko–Anže Kopitar–Adrian Kempe balances creativity, two-way reliability, and finishing. Kopitar remains the cerebral engine of the line, Kempe provides the shot, and Kuzmenko brings offensive flair.
The second line hinges on Quinton Byfield’s growth. With Kevin Fiala and Alex Laferriere on his wings, Byfield has the tools and support to break out. This trio could become the foundation of the Kings’ offence for years to come.
Bottom Six
The third line features Phillip Danault, still one of the league’s elite shutdown centres, with Warren Foegele and Trevor Moore providing speed and secondary scoring.
The fourth line is built for grit and reliability. Corey Perry brings leadership and toughness, Alex Turcotte looks to finally secure a full-time NHL role, and Joel Armia contributes defensive play and penalty-killing ability.
Defence
Anderson – Doughty
Edmundson – Clarke
Dumoulin – Ceci
Top Four
The top pairing of Mikey Anderson and Drew Doughty remains the bedrock of the blue line, capable of handling heavy matchups.
The second pair features Brandt Clarke, the Kings’ top prospect, paired with Joel Edmundson. Clarke’s offensive instincts and ability to move the puck give the Kings a new weapon, while Edmundson provides veteran cover.
Bottom Pair
Brian Dumoulin and Cody Ceci form a defensively reliable third pair. Both bring playoff experience, size, and steady minutes, helping address last season’s depth concerns.
Goalies
Kuemper will once again be the starter, but Forsberg’s addition ensures Los Angeles has a legitimate fallback option. The tandem gives the Kings one of their most stable goaltending situations in years.
Players to Watch
Quinton Byfield
The Kings’ playoff ceiling depends heavily on Byfield’s next step. A true breakout into 70-plus points would change the complexion of their offence.
Brandt Clarke
All eyes are on Clarke as he enters his first full NHL season. His ability to quarterback the power play and generate offence from the blue line could be a game-changer.
Prediction for the 2025-26 Los Angeles Kings
2025-26 Los Angeles Kings season remains a playoff-caliber season with a deep forward group, veteran leadership, and a more reliable goaltending tandem. The additions of Perry, Armia, Dumoulin, and Ceci won’t wow on the scoresheet but are designed to bring playoff toughness and experience.
Still, their success hinges on two young players: Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke. If both take major steps forward, Los Angeles could finally progress beyond the first round. If not, the team risks another season of strong regular-season results followed by postseason disappointment.
A top-three finish in the Pacific Division is realistic, but playoff advancement will depend on whether this roster can finally match its structure with the offensive punch and resilience needed in the spring.
Main Photo: Timothy T. Ludwig- Imagn Images
