Los Angeles Kings Summary

Drew Doughty's future with the Los Angeles Kings remains uncertain as the team weighs its options ahead of the 2026-27 season. According to Rink Royalty, general manager Ken Holland has indicated that the Kings are not in a rush to negotiate a contract extension with Doughty, who could become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.

Holland stated, "I'm not worried that he's going to hit the open market, that he's going to leave, so it's an opportunity to play the season and at the appropriate time, whether it's during the season or the end of the season, he and I will sit down and talk about where we're going." Doughty, a franchise icon, has spent his entire NHL career with the Kings and has won two Stanley Cups and a Norris Trophy.

In addition to Doughty's situation, The Athletic provided a mixed review of the Kings' contract efficiency prior to the upcoming season, placing them in the middle of the league. They highlighted the recent contract extension of defenseman Brandt Clarke, which appears to be a bargain at around $7.4 million average annual value, especially after Clarke's impressive 40-point season.

However, concerns were raised about Adrian Kempe's new contract. Furthermore, the performance of Brian Dumoulin in his first season with the Kings was evaluated, where he registered two goals and 15 assists while playing all 82 games.

Dumoulin's contributions showed mixed results, particularly in pairing with Cody Ceci, although he excelled in defensive zone starts and special teams play. Lastly, the rivalry between the Kings and the Edmonton Oilers continues to heat up, with Kings fans highlighting players they love to hate, including Wayne Gretzky, who was a significant figure in the rivalry's history.