The Kings committed only $1 million to a ninth-team defenseman while signing four veteran forwards this summer.
Veteran additions bolster bottom six
Los Angeles signed Scott Laughton to a three-year deal worth $3.5 million annually. The move adds a reliable two-way center who recorded consistent 40-plus point seasons. Corey Perry returned on a one-year pact at $1 million AAV with playoff bonuses. Mats Zuccarello joined on a one-year contract after years with Minnesota. Erik Haula signed a two-year agreement following his Nashville tenure. These four additions supply experience and depth to a forward group that reached the playoffs but won only eight games across five post-seasons.
The Kings finished the prior season with the NHL’s seventh-best defense at 2.90 goals against per game. Adding bottom-six forwards does not alter that unit. GM Ken Holland prioritized immediate help over long-term elite talent acquisition.
Panarin’s full-season presence after his February 2026 acquisition provides a high-skill winger on a two-year $11 million AAV deal. Kevin Fiala returns from injury. Both assets raise offensive ceiling but cannot compensate for defensive gaps.
Cap constraints limit in-season fixes
After the spree Los Angeles holds only $1.8 million in cap space. The team signed Erik Gustafsson to a one-year $1 million contract as the lone defensive addition. The 34-year-old has suited up for eight prior NHL clubs and functions mainly as injury insurance.
The goalie tandem of Darcy Kuemper and Anton Forsberg enters contract years motivated for strong results. Their tandem remains intact yet the blue line ahead of them stays unchanged.
Pacific Division competition improved. The Kings project to finish no higher than fourth or fifth and face a real risk of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020-21. Only Seattle appears clearly inferior among non-rebuilding clubs.
Draft assets offer future flexibility
Holland retains his next three first-round picks and four second-round selections. Those assets could yield internal talent or be packaged for immediate help. Projected 2028-29 cap space reaches approximately $78.1 million but offers no guarantee of landing a superstar.
The current roster lacks generational skill beyond acquired players. Without internal development or further trades the club remains a fringe contender reliant on veteran depth.
The Kings must weigh trading picks for defense now or building through the draft for later contention.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.