The LA Kings saw a number of players go on to other teams this summer like Vladislav Gavrikov to the New York Rangers and Tanner Jeannot to the Boston Bruins. However, one player that fans might not have realized is no longer with the Kings is Samuel Fagemo, who signed a two-way contract with the Winnipeg Jets.
Fagemo was a second-round pick by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2019 NHL Draft and has played the past five seasons at the AHL level with the Ontario Reign. During that time, Fagemo was one of the most productive players for the Reign as he had 40 or more points in three of the last four seasons, including a career-high 62 points in 2023-24.
This past season, he did take a step backward with only 29 goals and 17 assists but has shown enough that the Kings at some point should have given him an extended look at the NHL level. He would only play in 17 NHL games with the Kings while also playing four for the Nashville Predators to begin the 2023-24 season after they claimed him off waivers.
However, that time was short-lived as they would waive him and he would be claimed again by the Kings.
LA Kings didn't really have a path to the NHL for Samuel Fagemo after free agent moves
For Samuel Fagemo, the decision to go elsewhere could have been due to how the Kings' roster is currently structured. The additions of Corey Perry and Joel Armia with players like Samuel Helenius and Akil Thomas already on the Kings roster, didn't really have a clear path to regular ice time for Fagemo.
There might be a scenario where the Kings tried to bring him back but Fagemo saw the path was too messy to play in the NHL. Where the missed opportunity really comes in was last season when the Kings needed scoring, especially on the power play, and Fagemo would have been an interesting player for their fourth line and second power-play unit.
Fagemo was tied for ninth in the AHL in power-play goals last season with 10 after leading the AHL with 19 the season prior. However, Jim Hiller seemed to lean more towards veterans like Trevor Lewis, who once again blocked Fagemo. This could end up being one of the bigger 'what ifs' if Fagemo finds his way to the NHL with the Jets and makes an impact.