There was a flurry of moves on Monday across the NHL, with the big one being Mitch Marner going to the Vegas Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade. While the Los Angeles Kings didn't make as big of a move, they did re-sign Andrei Kuzmenko, and these are four reasons that fans should love this deal.
Reason #1: Low-risk contract for Andrei Kuzmenko
The Kings were able to agree to a one-year deal worth only $4.3 million, and it is a deal that not only is low-risk but also gives them options over the next calendar year. Kuzmenko had played less than 30 games for the Kings between the regular season and the playoffs, and while he was excellent during that stretch, it would be a risk to sign him to a multi-year deal.
Now with it being a one-year deal, the Kings have limited the risk associated with signing him long-term, while it gives Kuzmenko the chance to show he is deserving of a bigger contract in what amounts to another contract year. This type of contract also works in favor of the Kings in that if the season goes poorly, Kuzmenko could be a valuable player to make available at the trade deadline.
Reason #2: Maximized the value of the trade for Andrei Kuzmenko
The Kings traded with the Philadelphia Flyers at the trade deadline for Kuzmenko and sent a 2027 third-round pick to the Flyers for the player and a 2025 seventh-round draft pick, which they used to select Brendan McMorrow in the 2025 NHL Draft.
At the time of the trade, it was viewed as a low-risk trade for a one-year rental that hopefully could help the offense. Kuzmenko definitely helped the offense last season and with him now returning, the hope is he will have a similar impact. If he does, getting another season from Kuzmenko makes this an even better trade with the Flyers from the Kings' perspective.
Reason #3: Kuzmenko was very productive on the power play
For the entire season, the LA Kings ranked near the bottom of the league in power play percentage but showed significant improvements once Andrei Kuzmenko was added to that group. He would finish the regular season with five power-play goals, while adding three power-play goals and one power-play assist in the six playoff games against the Oilers.
It remains to be seen if Kuzmenko will stay on the top power play unit, and that will be determined by the other moves the Kings make this free agency. Either way it is a win-win as this means the Kings improved their first unit and Kuzmenko can boost the performance of the second power play unit.
Reason #4: Kuzmenko played well with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe
After the Kings traded for Kuzmenko, he was immediately slotted in on the top line with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe. For most of the season, the left wing spot was a revolving door of players as Jim Hiller tried to find the right combination.
Kuzmenko was the answer and these three finished with the fourth-most minutes on the Kings with 202 and an xGoal % of 56.8% according to Moneypuck. Similar to the power play unit, the Kings may look for an upgrade at this spot in free agency but if not, then they should feel good about this group going into next season.