Three Concerns For LA Kings Ahead Of 2026 Training Camp
The Los Angeles Kings are gearing up for the 2026 edition of training camp and are set to take the ice with high expectations for the 2026-27 season.
The main training camp starts on September 18 at the Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo, California.
The Kings will officially kick off the new season on September 30 on the road against the Colorado Avalanche.
With that said, here are three concerns the Kings face entering camp.
1) Will Kuemper Be The Unquestionable #1?
The Kings finished the 2025-26 season with a 35-27-20 record, finished fourth in the Pacific Division with 90 points, and advanced to the first round. One of the inconsistencies last season was the play of Kings Goaltender Darcy Kuemper. He finished last season with a 19-14-15 record and a 2.78 goals-against average, an .891 save percentage, and three shutouts. It was a considerable drop-off from the 24-25 season, when he went 31-11-7 with a 2.02 goals-against average, a .921 save percentage, and five shutouts. He started and played the same number of games (50), but his play was way off. The 36-year-old Kuemper gave up the starter job to Anton Forsberg last season, and Forsberg performed better in more limited action. Forsberg posted a record 16-12-5 with a 2.57 goals-against average, a .909 save percentage, and three shutouts, playing most games late last season.
This could be the same rest this season if Kuemper fails to deliver again. For Los Angeles to be successful and prove to be a force in the tough Pacific Division, Kuemper needs to be elite. He needs to be the best goaltender in the division and a top-three player for the Kings this season. A lot to ask, but he has proven himself before. If he starts to falter early in the season, expect new head coach Peter Laviolette to pull him, as the Kings cannot afford to lose momentum early in the season. Laviolette will go with the better goaltender, and if it’s Forsberg, then it’s Forsberg, but Kuemper has to step up this season.
2) Can Byfield Live Up To The Pressure?
Los Angeles forward Quinton Byfield is without a doubt facing the most pressure this season. He is replacing one of the best two-way players in NHL history and is expected to carry the offensive load. While he is still young, the 6-foot-5, 230-pound second overall pick in 2020 has massive shoes to fill. A center with top-flight speed, he needs to start putting this team on his back and taking charge. While he hasn’t exploded offensively, he’s been underwhelming. A career-high of 55 points in 23-24 has gone to 54 points in 24-25 and down to 49 points last season. That won’t cut it with his responsibilities now.
He’s had plenty of time to develop and needs to be a point-per-game player this season and the Kings’ best player on most nights. Potentially having Adrian Kempe and Artemi Panarin as linemates will certainly help that offensive production. He also needs first-line power-play time to help grow his confidence with the man-advantage. This is a big year for Byfield offensively, in his development, and to show the Kings he can handle the pressure.
3) Does The Kings Defense Stand Tall After A Brutal 25-26 Season?
After a stellar defensive season that saw the defense put together solid stats in 24-25, they fell off last season. During the 24-25 season, the defense ranked second in goals against (203), second in goals-against average (2.48), eighth in penalty-kill percentage (81.4%), and second in shots against (25.5). However, last season, the defense was another reason for inconsistent play and the first-round playoff exit. Last season, the Kings ranked 26th in shots against (238), tied for seventh in goals-against average (2.90), 30th in penalty-kill percentage (74.6%), and 22nd in shots against (27.2).
The Kings have one of the league’s older defenses, but they also have youngster Brandt Clarke as the next offensive superstar on the back end. This offseason, Los Angeles lost Jacob Moverare but added Lane Pederson and Erik Gustafsson in free agency. While the Kings added some scoring with Gustafsson, they need to get back to playing tight defense. If they are too loose in their own end and chase the puck, they will have the same results as last season.
Defense and goaltending need to improve; that’s priority number one this season, and the offense will follow. If everything falls apart early, it will be a long season again.
Discover more from Los Angeles Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.