Spring Cleaning – Los Angeles Kings

Spring Cleaning – Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings reached the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the second Western Conference Wild Card but were quickly swept by the Colorado Avalanche in the opening round. While making the postseason appeared to be a positive step, a closer examination revealed a team with significant flaws that barely survived the regular season. Neil Smith and Vic Morren discuss the coaching turmoil, declining offensive production, and major rebuilding challenge now facing General Manager Ken Holland as he attempts to return one of the NHL's marquee franchises to true contender status.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00:00] The Kings qualify for the playoffs as the second Wild Card before being swept by Colorado in four games. Neil and Vic discuss the expectations entering the season after Ken Holland's veteran-heavy offseason additions, including Corey Perry, Joel Armia, Cody Ceci, and Brian Dumoulin, raised questions about the age and direction of the roster.

[00:01:00] Neil reflects on Ken Holland's third NHL general manager position, explaining why Los Angeles represents the greatest challenge of his career after successful runs in Detroit and Edmonton. Unlike those situations, Holland inherits a roster with significant holes rather than an established championship core.

[00:01:45] The discussion turns to the coaching carousel. Jim Hiller begins the season under heavy scrutiny after questionable playoff decisions the previous year before being dismissed on March 1. Interim coach D.J. Smith finishes the season, but Neil believes Holland will likely hire his own permanent bench boss this offseason.

[00:03:00] Despite losing Kevin Fiala for the season after the Olympics and changing coaches late in the year, the Kings somehow rally to earn a playoff berth. Neil and Vic describe the finish as "smoke and mirrors," helped as much by Nashville and San Jose fading as by Los Angeles improving its own play.

[00:04:00] The panel examines some alarming team statistics. The Kings finish with one of the NHL's worst home winning percentages, rank near the bottom of the league on both the power play and penalty kill, score the fourth-fewest goals in the NHL, and struggle mightily in overtime and shootout games.

[00:05:00] Offensive regression becomes another major concern. Adrian Kempe remains productive, but Quinton Byfield, Andrei Kuzmenko, Alex Turcotte, and Alex Laferrière all fail to provide the secondary scoring needed to support the club's top players throughout the season.

[00:06:00] Neil suggests the Kings may have actually benefited more from missing the playoffs than being swept in the opening round, as a higher draft position could have accelerated the rebuilding process. Instead, Los Angeles exits early without significantly improving its long-term outlook.

[00:06:30] The retirement of longtime captain Anže Kopitar creates another major offseason challenge. Neil and Vic discuss potential successors, including Drew Doughty and Adrian Kempe, while emphasizing the enormous leadership void left by one of the greatest players in franchise history.

[00:07:00] Looking ahead, the Kings enter the 2026 NHL Draft with nine selections, including two second-round picks and two sixth-round picks. The organization also projects to have approximately $3.6 million in salary cap space before the league's July cap increase.

[00:07:45] Los Angeles' unrestricted free agents include Andrei Kuzmenko, Scott Laughton, Mathieu Joseph, Jeff Malott, Jacob Moverare, and goaltender Phoenix Copley. Neil believes Scott Laughton is the veteran most likely to return because of the style of game Ken Holland values.

[00:08:15] Restricted free agent Brandt Clarke headlines the organization's contract negotiations. Neil questions whether the young defenseman will command more money than the Kings are willing to pay and suggests Holland could consider moving him if the right trade package becomes available.

[00:09:00] The episode concludes with the enormous task awaiting Ken Holland. Between hiring a permanent head coach, replacing Kopitar's leadership, improving special teams, increasing offensive production, and reshaping the roster, the Kings face one of the busiest and most important offseasons in the NHL.