The Kings smashed the reset button over the summer, offloading their enormous-ticket acquisition of the prior offseason, Pierre-Luc Dubois, while getting younger in some areas and more rugged in others.
With training camp set to open Thursday, here’s a look at those who will be clad in black and silver this season – and those who won’t.
Forwards
Who’s back: Anze Kopitar, Adrian Kempe, Quinton Byfield, Phillip Danault, Trevor Moore, Kevin Fiala, Alex Laferriere, Trevor Lewis, Alex Turcotte, Akil Thomas and Samuel Fagemo.
The final three names on this list were used sparingly in 2023-24 but should see their roles grow this year, much as Brandt Clarke and Jordan Spence could experience on defense. Kopitar, the Kings’ captain, remains a productive and complete player in what could be the penultimate season of his career. Danault, who told TVA Sports that this was a critical campaign for the Kings’ build, is part of a group that could help define the season, which also includes Kempe, Fiala and Moore. Byfield is perhaps the most vital piece, as his upside could make a steal.
Who’s back (for now): Arthur Kaliyev
His shot and scoring acumen were once celebrated, but Kaliyev became persona non grata during the key parts of last season. He’s still in the fold, surprisingly, .
Who left: Viktor Arvidsson, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Carl Grundstrom and Blake Lizotte
Arvidsson signed with archnemesis Edmonton and Lizotte departed for Pittsburgh (both on two-year deals) after the Kings declined to tender his qualifying offer. , San Jose, while just before his full no-movement clause was to be triggered. Dubois leaves behind a trail of disappointment but at least mitigated a disaster that cost the Kings very significant assets. Finding his 40 points from a new source won’t be a challenge, but replacing the production of Arvidsson as well as his competitiveness and that of Lizotte could prove difficult.
Who’s new: Warren Foegele, Tanner Jeannot
While they , the Kings , Foegele, who has more size to protect the puck but less offense – in terms of consistency and ceiling – than Arvidsson. added toughness, but his offensive contributions in Tampa Bay were an abject disappointment that never mirrored his 24-goal rookie season with Nashville.
Defensemen
Who’s back: Drew Doughty, Mikey Anderson, Vladislav Gavrikov, Jordan Spence, Andreas Englund, Jacob Moverare and Brandt Clarke
While the Kings added a pair of gritty defensemen for the lower part of their lineup, the overall shift on the back end was toward mobility and offense. The void left by the well-rounded but defensive-minded Matt Roy opened up more minutes on the right side for Spence and a full-time spot for Clarke, presumably, which trended the Kings toward less oomph but noticeably more skill on the blue line.
Who left: Matt Roy
Roy for $5.75 million per season, making him the latest well-compensated right defenseman that the Kings have nothing to show for, along with Sean Durzi and Sean Walker.
Who’s new: Joel Edmundson, Kyle Burroughs
Burroughs never stopped grinding through a dismal campaign in San Jose last season and Edmundson, who has won a Stanley Cup and reached the Final twice, has battled hard against both opponents and injuries throughout his career. The raised eyebrows, especially given an injury history even spottier than players like Arvidsson and Lizotte, whose lack of availability undoubtedly factored into their departures.
Goalies
Who’s back: David Rittich, Pheonix Copley
Rittich after carrying a significant load at times last season and making a pair of playoff starts as well. Copley, coming off , will give the club a veteran option as a No. 3 goalie and a tutor for in the minors.
Who left: Cam Talbot
In May, Talbot said he wanted to stay put and, hopefully, with a two-year deal. He got the latter, but in Detroit, as the journeyman’s stone kept rolling.
Who’s new: Darcy Kuemper
He made 19 appearances for the Kings in 2017-18 and then enjoyed a late-blooming stretch as a starter, . After losing the Washington net to another well-traveled netminder, Charlie Lindgren, in what the Caps hope is a buy-low on Dubois. With three years and nearly $16 million against the cap left on his deal, the 34-year-old Kuemper will be counted on as much more than salary-cap relief.
