Roster Changes and Key Players
In recent seasons, the Los Angeles Kings have experienced significant roster changes, leading fans and analysts to ponder the impact of these transactions. The current core of the team includes notable players such as Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Kevin Fiala, Adrian Kempe, and Mikey Andersen. However, as the franchise reflects on the past two years, it becomes imperative to evaluate the effectiveness of trades and lost players.
Departures from Recent Seasons
2025-26 Season
The 2025-26 campaign saw the Kings pivot with some major trades. One key move involved Artemi Panarin, but it was Phillip Danault‘s trade to the Montreal Canadiens in December that set the tone for the season. In exchange, the Kings acquired a 2026 second-round draft pick. Danault, who played 30 games for the Kings that season and accumulated 5 points, had previously been with the Canadiens from 2015 to 2021. After his trade, Danault played 45 games for the Canadiens that season, netting 6 goals and 6 assists and participating in the playoffs with 2 assists across 9 games.
As the trade deadline approached, the Kings traded Warren Foegele to the Ottawa Senators, receiving a conditional 2026 second-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick. Foegele’s performance for the Kings included 9 points over 47 games, and he maintained a steady output with 8 points in 21 games post-trade for the Senators, though he went scoreless during their playoff run.
The final significant transaction of the season involved veteran Corey Perry, who moved to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a 2028 second-round pick. Perry’s contributions to the Kings included 11 goals and 17 assists across 50 appearances, but after his trade, he recorded 9 points in 22 games with Tampa and participated in playoff matches without contributing on the scoresheet.
Evaluating the success or repercussions of these trades remains a challenge at this early stage.
2024-25 Season
The conclusion of the 2024-25 season, heralded as one of the Kings’ most fruitful, led to further trades and losses. A significant move was the June 28, 2025, deal that sent defenseman Jordan Spence to the Senators. In return, the Kings received a 2025 NHL draft pick (67th overall) and a sixth-round pick for 2026. During his last season with the Kings, Spence appeared in 79 games, tallying 28 points. Since joining Ottawa, he has emerged as a vital player, demonstrating consistent improvement with 31 points over 73 games in his first season.
Additionally, two players departed via free agency: Vladislav Gavrikov and Tanner Jeannot. Gavrikov, who had a breakout year with the Kings recording 30 points, signed a lucrative 7-year contract with the Rangers. In his first season with New York, he achieved a career-high 14 goals while playing all 82 games. Meanwhile, Jeannot, who managed 13 points over 67 games with the Kings, signed a 5-year deal with the Bruins and recorded a respectable 22 points in his first year there.
2023-24 Season
In the preceding season, the 2023-24 period, the Kings faced several exits as well. Viktor Arvidsson left for the Oilers on a two-year deal after a season marred by injuries, while Pierre-Luc Dubois was traded to the Capitals for goalie Darcy Kuemper, leading to a substantial upgrade on the roster.
Matt Roy, a long-standing King, also signed with the Capitals, while Blake Lizotte moved to the Penguins, where he has signed an extension. Both players contributed to the Kings’ depth although their impact became evident post-departure.
Assessing the Impact of Departures
While some departures have potentially improved the Kings’ future outlook—such as the acquisition of Kuemper—the losses of Spence and Gavrikov are already raising questions. Spence has established himself as a valuable top-tier defenseman at just 25 years old, while Gavrikov’s performance in New York has showcased his scoring capabilities.
Additionally, the Kings might start to miss Lizotte, especially considering their struggles on the penalty kill, a department where Lizotte excelled. The competitive nature of the NHL makes it difficult to predict the long-term effects of player movement, but the Kings’ management will need to assess how these transactions will shape the team’s future.
In the end, as the Kings reflect on these changes, many fans wonder just how different the team’s present circumstances would be had they retained these players. For continuous coverage on the NHL and the Kings, readers can subscribe to various hockey news outlets and stay updated on the latest developments.
