Every successful NHL team has players opposing fans love to hate, and the Los Angeles Kings are no exception to that rule. Whether it's because of physical play, trash talking, or the ability to get under opponents' skin, some of these players often become villains everywhere they go in the NHL.
The Kings have no shortage of these types of personalities going into the upcoming 2026-27 season.
In every fan base, there are players and coaches that opposing teams are going to dislike, regardless of who you're playing on the ice. The competitiveness of professional sports encourages rivalries and some level of aversion from opposing teams and players, especially in a league as physical and high-octane as the NHL.
These Los Angeles Kings players have built reputations as some of the NHL's biggest agitators
Here are three current Kings' players who opposing team's fans love to hate.
Erik Haula, C
Veteran center Erik Haula has proven himself to be a spirited and competitive two-way player who has earned the respect of most players, coaches, and fans around the league. But not every party in the league feels like Haula should be a well-respected and well-liked figure in the NHL in this past decade or so.
This is probably the most subjective inclusion on this list, largely because most teams in the NHL don't have any hard feelings toward Haula. But there are a couple of teams, namely the Carolina Hurricanes, that despise Haula more so than almost any other player in their franchise's history.
There's no mystery as to why Canes fans don't like Haula. Between his locker room antics and disruptions, and namely wearing a "Canes suck" wristband when playing for division and conference rivals in the years following his exit from Carolina, Haula has managed to make a lot of sour grapes in Raleigh.
Add us as a preferred source on Google