It took almost no time at all for general manager Ken Holland and the Los Angeles Kings to get to work reshaping and retooling the roster lineup when the unrestricted free agency window opened on Wednesday morning (July 1).
Instead of making a big blockbuster splash trade or free agent signing on Wednesday morning, the Kings scoped out adding more experienced and proven veterans and more depth throughout the organization on a series of low-risk, value contracts.
Most of the bigger signings that Holland and the Kings made on Day 1 of free agency this offseason can contribute immediately, but some others were more about strengthening organizational depth and shoring up the roster lineup. These moves say a lot about the direction that Holland is taking the Kings going into the upcoming 2026-27 season.
From Mats Zuccarello to Erik Haula, here's how every major Los Angeles Kings signing stacks up after Day 1
All told, the Kings made six new free agent signings, along with re-signing a handful of players today. On this list, we're looking at all the immediate-impact signings the Kings made today, along with the new additions who could provide depth in the organization this upcoming season.
Holland and the Kings gave new head coach Peter Laviolette plenty of new depth players and offensive weapons to reload the roster lineup going into the upcoming 2026-27 season.
Including Scott Laughton's contract extension, here's how every significant move from Day 1 grades out for the Kings in free agency.
Erik Gustafsson, D
The Kings loaded up on veterans on the first day of free agency this cycle on Wednesday, including former Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers defenseman Erik Gustafsson.
I had some reservations at first about this signing for the Kings. The Kings and Holland still need to add more impact players on the blue line on defense this offseason. But Gustafsson brings value that is hard to get for the price that Holland and the Kings signed him at in free agency, on a one-year term for $1 million in base value.
Gustafsson gives the Kings an experienced veteran puck mover on the blue line who has played in Laviolette's system recently with the Rangers and the Washington Capitals in this past few years.
Grade: B
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