Back in January, the Los Angeles Kings and the rest of the NHL got good news as the salary cap was expected to increase each of the next three seasons. The increase is notable enough that it could reshape how the Kings approach this offseason and future years.
This year, the salary cap has increased $7.5 million over the prior year, with scheduled increases of $8.5 million for the 2026-27 season and then $9.5 million for the 2027-28 season.
The increase gives the Kings the chance to be more aggressive in free agency this summer, potentially, and could try to sign big-name free agents like Mitch Marner. However, there are some other impacts that it could have on how the Kings approach the next few years.
Overpay now for a bargain deal for Vladislav Gavrikov
This year, there is no question that the top free agent for the Kings is Vladislav Gavrikov, who was one of their top defensemen and will now be one of the best available this summer. The Kings are probably regretting not getting a deal done earlier, but with the increase in the salary cap over the next few years, it might seem like an overpay at this point. In the long run, though, it could be a reasonable contract a few seasons from now.
Kings have less of a need to buyout players
One way teams are able to create cap space is either trade away players or buyout them out. By trading, it is fairly straight forward and all of the salary (or a portion is retained in negotiations) comes off their roster and that money can be used to sign other players.
However, with an increase in the salary cap there may not be the need to buyout players as those salaries are a smaller percentage of the overall salary cap.
A player like Drew Doughty comes to mind with his annual salary of $11 million. He has two years left on his current deal and could create some significant cap space if he were bought out. It could be a win-win scenario for the Kings as they now have more cap space but don't have to replace a player like Doughty.
Opens the door for long-term deal for Alex Laferriere
Alex Laferriere is their top restricted free agent this offseason and it creates a decision for the Kings in terms of what they do. They could certainly let him sign an offer sheet and leave in free agency, which brings back draft picks depending on the contract he signs.
The Kings could also consider a bridge-contract of two or three seasons that would keep Laferriere in Los Angeles and if he continues on the upward trend, set himself up for a big contract in a few seasons.
Another option, that might be considered more with the bigger salary cap, is signing Laferriere to a long-term deal with an average value between $4 and $5 million. Similar to the buyout thought process, as the salary cap increases the AVV of Laferriere's contract becomes a smaller percentage and becomes more of a value.
Allows Kings to offer a bigger contract to Adrian Kempe
Without question, the biggest contract negotation the Kings will have is with forward Adrian Kempe. Their star forward is entering the final year of his deal and it is something Los Angeles should not wait to get done and can discuss a new contract as early as July 1st.
Kempe has certainly earned a salary bump from his current salary of $5.5 million and the Kings could certainly offer that this summer. It will eliminate any potential anxiety over the next year about whether or not Kempe might leave in free agency and better to get the deal done now.