At this point in the offseason, most of the major roster moves that general manager Ken Holland and the Los Angeles Kings are bound to make are already in place.
Holland and the Kings were busy on Day 1 of unrestricted free agency this summer, adding proven veteran players to address multiple roster needs this offseason. The moves the Kings made in free agency this summer not only helped to reshape the roster, but they also created new opportunities for players already within the organization.
Between the younger players fighting for spots on the opening-night roster and younger players trying to earn more ice time and bigger/more versatile roles in the lineup, new head coach Peter Laviolette and staff could have a lot to figure out in training camp and the preseason this fall.
The Los Angeles Kings' offseason created new opportunities for these players
Here's a look at three Kings players whose roles are expected to grow in the upcoming 2026-27 season.
Quinton Byfield, C
After the retirement of Anze Kopitar this offseason, the Kings are expecting Quinton Byfield to be the next No. 1 center going into the next era for the franchise. For years now, the Kings have been preparing Byfield to be the new No. 1 center, and that future has now arrived.
Going into the upcoming 2026-27 season, Byfield will be asked to produce more offense while leading the Kings down the middle to help the franchise define its next era. Byfield will now be a focal point of the offensive system for the Kings in the top six forward group.
The Kings will also ask Byfield to take on more difficult assignments defensively while still having to produce on the other side of the ice offensively.
Brandt Clarke, D
The Kings signed defenseman Brandt Clarke to a five-year contract extension in restricted free agency this offseason, worth around $7.4 million in average annual value. By locking up Byfield and Clarke, the Kings have ensured two of their most important foundational building blocks remain at the center of the franchise's future.
Clarke held a big role in the top four defensively for the Kings this past regular season. But he is expected to get even more responsibility to drive the play in the offensive zone and to get a larger role on special teams on the power play this upcoming season.
In this past couple of seasons, Clarke has shown signs of becoming a staple in the Kings' top-four group on the blue line. He'll now be expected to make the leap as the team's primary offensive defenseman.
Angus Booth, D
Going into training camp this fall, prospect Angus Booth will be in the mix to compete for the spot as that rotational seventh defenseman on the blue line for the Kings. He could also position himself for a depth role on the blue line to move into the lineup if the Kings experience any injuries this upcoming season at the position.
This past season, Booth continued his development as one of the strongest sophomores on the AHL affiliate Ontario Reign on the blue line. He's started to establish a reputation as one of Ontario's most reliable and talented defensemen.
Booth is a potent defenseman with real offensive upside and great skating ability. He has the potential down the road to be a real playmaking defenseman who is known for his puck moving, natural hockey senses, and ability to get the puck up the ice in transition and on controlled zone exits.
Booth already made his NHL debut for the Kings this past regular season, and he scored a goal in his first game against the Colorado Avalanche in early March.
While Booth might not be projected to make the roster on opening night, he still goes into training camp and the preseason this fall with a clearer path to earning NHL minutes than most other Kings' prospects.
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