Do the LA Kings Have Massive Problems Heading Into the 2026-27 Season?
The season has concluded for the Los Angeles Kings, and it ended the same way as it has for the past five seasons: a first-round exit.
Many are displeased with the outcome and the team’s direction going forward.
The Kings do have questions, but are those questions also massive problems heading into next season?
Who Replaces Anze Kopitar?
Which player fills the void left by Anze Kopitar? When Anze Kopitar revealed this season would be his last, speculation grew as to who would replace him on the roster. Fingers pointed to Quinton Byfield immediately. However, this season he dropped off offensively.
After last season’s coming-out party, he only produced 24 goals and 25 assists for 49 points. For an average NHL player, this is a good season. However, given his projected role as a first-line center, these stats are disappointing. If he is the one, he needs to work on improving himself and creating more offense next season.
Scott Laughton and Alex Turcotte
The other two possibilities, if they are going with someone in-house, are Scott Laughton or Alex Turcotte.
Laughton came over to the Kings via trade and gave the team some solid play down the middle. He is an excellent penalty killer and is a great middle-six guy. Just like Byfield, he does not create enough offense to be the top center this season.
Turcotte has been good at times, but last season he accounted for only 14 points. He will have a role next season, but it will not be the number one center.
Goaltending
The goaltending needs improvement; they proved last season they were good at times, but overall, just average. Darcy Kuemper had a disappointing season after posting big numbers in net the previous season.
He posted a record of 19-14-15 with a 2.78 goals-against average and a .891 save percentage in 25-2; not bad stats overall, but he was supposed to be the guy between the pipes, and these stats read more like a backup netminder.
Anton Forsberg was solid last season, but again, his numbers are those of a number two goaltender. His play last season resulted in a 16-12-5 record, a 2.56 goals-against average, and a .910 save percentage. Prospect Erik Portillo is not ready to take that leap just yet, so if the Kings want to make changes, they have to go to free agency or trade.
Defense
The defense needs a shakeup. One of the disappointing aspects of the 25-26 season was the defense’s play. On average, they did not live up to expectations. Brandt Clarke was the only bright spot as he continues to emerge as a top-pair defenseman.
Everyone else was average and, as a group, showed management why there needs to be an upgrade on all defensive pairings this offseason. If they go into next season with the same defensive group, we can expect the same results.
Head Coach
One of the bigger questions this offseason was who is going to be behind the bench come opening night? Jim Hiller was fired last season and replaced by D.J. Smith. That plan was not the best decision, as the Kings made no significant strides. In fact, they remained the same. Smith could very well be back next season, but the odds are not in his favor.
If the Kings go a new route, there is plenty to choose from, as many successful head coaches are waiting for an opportunity. Bruce Cassidy, Gerard Gallant, Jay Woodcroft, and Pete DeBoer are a few of the big-name coaches who are possibilities for the Kings.
Any of these coaches would be an upgrade over Smith and Hiller.
The question is: do the Kings pull the trigger before it is too late, and are none of these coaches still out there?
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Categorized:Kings