6 players the LA Kings should be hoping reach free agency in 2026

The Los Angeles Kings would be happy at the chance to sign some of these players next summer.
Jun 14, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) skates during the warmup period against the Florida Panthers in game five of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Jun 14, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) skates during the warmup period against the Florida Panthers in game five of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images | Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
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Jack Eichel

Another player that the Kings are very familiar with as they play for a division rival is Jack Eichel. The Buffalo Sabres would trade him to the Golden Knights in 2021 and over the past four seasons has been a big part of Vegas' success.

This past season was his best as he had 28 goals and 66 assists with a +/- of +32 in 77 games. Now with the addition of Marner, these two are going to create a dynamic duo that the rest of the league will have a tough time defending.

While he is currently set to be a free agent, the Golden Knights are almost certainly going to get a deal done before then. They clearly have a vision of Eichel and Marner alongside each other for a long time and probably don't add Marner if they felt they might lose Eichel.

In the unlikely scenario that Eichel does leave, the Kings would be a great landing spot for the center and pairing him with Adrian Kempe could create a winning duo for Los Angeles.