Kings Face Center Dilemma After Kopitar’s Retirement as New Era Begins

The Los Angeles Kings find themselves at a crossroads as they enter the offseason grappling with the monumental task of replacing Anze Kopitar. For nearly two decades, Kopitar was the linchpin of the franchise, not only driving the offense but also excelling in crucial defensive situations and providing leadership that cannot be replicated with a single roster move. With his retirement now official, the Kings are stepping into a new era, and one pressing question looms large: who will emerge as the true No. 1 center for this team?

This uncertainty has led The Athletic to rank the Kings near the bottom of its offseason evaluations for the NHL’s top-six center duos, placing them in the seventh tier and labeling them as having a “major weakness” down the middle. Such an assessment is hard to dispute.

While the Kings have made strides in improving their overall roster, the depth at center remains a significant concern as they approach the 2026-27 season. If Los Angeles aims to finally advance past the first round of the playoffs after enduring years of early exits, addressing this instability must be a priority for general manager Ken Holland.

In 2020, the Kings drafted Quinton Byfield second overall, banking on his potential to become the next elite forward to lead the franchise. At just 23 years old, Byfield still has ample time to fulfill that promise. His combination of size, skating prowess, vision, and shooting ability equips him with the necessary tools to develop into a legitimate first-line NHL center. However, the reality remains that he has not yet reached that pinnacle.

After hinting at a breakout, Byfield concluded last season with 49 points in 79 games. While that output is commendable for a young player still honing his craft, it falls short of the expectations set for someone seen as a future cornerstone of the franchise. With Kopitar no longer there to share the load, Byfield now faces a new challenge: the expectation to step up and become the player the Kings envisioned when they selected him nearly six years ago.

One of the notable additions to the Kings this offseason was Artemi Panarin, who brings a much-needed offensive spark. Panarin remains an elite talent capable of making a significant impact, yet his production has slightly dipped from the levels he achieved during his prime with the New York Rangers. Last season, he tallied 28 goals and 56 assists for 84 points in 78 games split between the Rangers and Kings, numbers that reflect a decline from his previous seasons where he consistently surpassed the 90-point mark.

Despite this dip, Panarin can still be a game-changer for Los Angeles. However, it’s clear that the Kings cannot rely solely on one player to resolve their offensive struggles. For Panarin to maximize his playmaking ability, he requires a strong supporting cast, particularly in terms of talent down the middle.

Fortunately, Panarin’s familiarity with head coach Peter Laviolette, with whom he enjoyed success in New York, could foster a smoother transition. Yet, coaching familiarity alone will not rectify the roster’s most significant deficiency.

On the defensive end, the Kings have established a solid structure that ranks among the best in the NHL. Their ability to limit scoring chances and engage in a physical style has kept them competitive over the years. Goaltending is expected to remain a strength, with Anton Forsberg poised to take over as the starting goalie.

However, defense can only carry a team so far. The primary concern persists: a lack of scoring depth and uncertainty at center. Players like Scott Laughton and Erik Haula offer experience and defensive reliability, but neither can replicate the offensive impact Kopitar delivered for so long. This scenario places immense pressure on Byfield and presents a challenging dilemma for Holland.

Earlier this offseason, The Hockey News mentioned the possibility of the Kings exploring a trade involving Darcy Kuemper to address their center depth issues. Moving a veteran goaltender for assistance in the middle could be a strategic move if the Kings believe Forsberg is ready to assume the starting role.

Ultimately, this weakness is unlikely to resolve itself without intervention. The Kings have assembled a roster capable of competing, yet their most significant question resides right in the middle of the ice. Should Byfield take the necessary next step and the veteran centers exceed offensive expectations, Los Angeles could quickly defy The Athletic’s ranking. Until then, the center position stands as the primary obstacle between the Kings and the deeper playoff run they have long sought.

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