Evaluating the Kings’ Departures: Who Do They Miss Most?

The Los Angeles Kings have undergone significant changes over the past two seasons, with key players like Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Kevin Fiala, Adrian Kempe, and Mikey Andersen remaining at the core of the team. However, as the Kings reflect on recent trades and free agency departures, the question arises: are they better off without some of these players?

Among the most notable moves was the Artemi Panarin trade during the 2025-26 season, but the Kings also saw the exit of Phillip Danault, who was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in December for a 2026 second-round pick. During his time with the Kings, Danault played 30 games, recording five assists and five points. Known for his defensive prowess, he requested a trade, which the Kings accommodated. After joining the Canadiens, Danault played 45 games, scoring six goals and adding six assists, while contributing two assists in nine playoff games.

As the trade deadline approached, the Kings made another significant move, sending Warren Foegele to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick and a conditional 2026 third-round pick. Foegele had a solid season with the Kings, appearing in 47 games and netting seven goals and two assists. Following his trade, he registered six goals and two assists in 21 games with the Senators, though he did not score in four playoff appearances.

The Kings’ final trade of the 2025-26 season involved Corey Perry, who was sent to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a 2028 second-round pick. Perry’s performance with the Kings included 11 goals and 17 assists over 50 games. After the trade, he played 22 games for the Lightning, scoring six goals and recording three assists, but did not find the scoresheet during their playoff run.

Looking back to the 2024-25 season, which was particularly successful for the Kings, the impact of trades and transactions becomes clearer. One of the first departures was Jordan Spence, a promising defenseman traded to the Senators for the 67th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and a 2026 sixth-round pick. In his final season with the Kings, Spence played 79 games, contributing four goals and 24 assists. Since the trade, he has emerged as a reliable starter for Ottawa, scoring seven goals and tallying 24 assists in 73 games this season.

The Kings also lost Vladislav Gavrikov to the New York Rangers, who signed him to a seven-year deal worth $7 million AAV. Gavrikov had a solid season with the Kings, posting five goals and 25 assists in 82 games, and has continued to excel in New York, scoring a career-high 12 goals this season. Tanner Jeannot, who signed with the Boston Bruins after a single season with the Kings, recorded seven goals and six assists in 67 games with Los Angeles before adding six goals and 16 assists in 77 games with the Bruins.

In the offseason of 2023-24, several more players departed, including Viktor Arvidsson, who signed a two-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers after an injury-plagued final season with the Kings. Arvidsson has since performed well, moving to the Bruins and posting 54 points in 69 games. Pierre-Luc Dubois, who was traded to the Washington Capitals for goaltender Darcy Kuemper, has also thrived, scoring 25 goals and 60 assists in 111 games. Matt Roy, another former King, signed a six-year deal with the Capitals and has contributed significantly since his departure.

Despite these changes, the Kings made efforts to fill the gaps left by their former players, acquiring Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin. While the 2024-25 season stands out as their best recent performance, the loss of young talents like Jordan Spence and the defensive contributions of players like Gavrikov and Lizotte raise questions about the long-term impact of these moves.

As the Kings assess their current roster, the implications of their trades and free agency losses are becoming evident. While some moves may have benefited the team, others could lead to regret as they consider what their lineup might look like today had they retained these key players.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.