Summer Coolers – Los Angeles Kings

Summer Coolers – Los Angeles KingsThe Los Angeles Kings enter 2026-27 as the NHL’s oldest team and perhaps one of its biggest short-term gambles. After finishing fourth in the Pacific with 90 points, Los Angeles finally avoided another first-round matchup with Edmonton—only to draw the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche and get swept. Now Peter Laviolette takes over behind the bench, Anze Kopitar has retired, and GM Ken Holland has doubled down on veteran experience. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether the Kings have enough left for one more playoff run or whether age is finally about to catch up with them.

IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Peter Laviolette takes over as head coach after DJ Smith, who had replaced Jim Hiller. The Kings finished fourth in the Pacific with 90 points.

[00:00:25] After four consecutive playoff eliminations against Edmonton, LA finally avoids the Oilers—only to draw Colorado and get swept in four games.

[00:00:45] The Kings have not won a playoff series since defeating the New York Rangers to capture the 2014 Stanley Cup.

[00:01:00] The numbers reveal major problems. LA’s offense falls from 14th to 29th, while the power play finishes 28th at 17 percent.

[00:01:20] The defense remains respectable, tied for sixth, but the penalty kill plunges from eighth the previous season all the way to 30th.

[00:01:40] There are no major trade acquisitions during the offseason, while defenseman Brandt Clarke re-signs for five years at $7.4 million per season.

[00:02:00] Ken Holland again turns toward veteran players, beginning with Corey Perry returning for a second stint with the Kings. Perry will be 41 and signs for one year at $1 million plus potential bonuses.

[00:02:20] Erik Haula arrives at age 35, defenseman Erik Gustafsson is 34, and 32-year-old Scott Laughton re-signs for three years at $3.5 million annually.

[00:02:40] Matt Zuccarello joins at age 38 on a heavily incentive-based contract, adding yet another veteran to what is already the NHL’s oldest roster.

[00:03:00] Drew Doughty turns 37, while Artemi Panarin is also well into his 30s. Neil and Vic believe LA desperately needs production from Panarin, Adrian Kempe, and Quinton Byfield.

[00:03:20] The biggest departure is captain Anze Kopitar, who retires after a legendary Kings career. His No. 11 will eventually join the franchise’s honored numbers in the rafters.