The Los Angeles Kings' projected lineup is mostly set for the upcoming season for new head coach Peter Laviolette and his staff after a busy offseason for general manager Ken Holland.
Adding proven veteran experience and depth in the middle of the lineup, Holland and the Kings made some impactful signings on value contracts in unrestricted free agency earlier this summer. These moves helped to shore up the lineup at the center position while bringing in another playmaker in the top six in former Minnesota Wild veteran winger Mats Zuccarello.
Veteran centers Erik Haula and Scott Laughton give the Kings more proven two-way depth down the middle going into training camp and the preseason this fall.
Projecting the LA Kings forward lines for 2026-27
The first line looks to be locked in for the Kings and Laviolette going into opening night of the regular season, led by wingers Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe and new first-line center Quinton Byfield. Kempe and Panarin will get to play together in the top six for a full season for the first time in this 2026-27 campaign.
Byfield is also being asked to do more this upcoming season, jumping into the first-line center role after the retirement of Anze Kopitar this offseason.
There is less certainty with the second- and third-line forward groups. We know some of the players who will fill roles in the middle six, but there is a top-six center role that could be won in a position battle in training camp this fall.
Forwards
Artemi Panarin - Quinton Byfield - Adrian Kempe
Kevin Fiala - Erik Haula - Mats Zuccarello
Trevor Moore - Scott Laughton - Alex Laferriere
Joel Armia - Alex Turcotte - Corey Perry
One of the biggest questions in camp could be whether Haula ultimately wins the second-line center role over Laughton and Alex Laferriere (if they try him out at center again this upcoming season). Haula's experience and two-way versatility could make him a natural fit centering Zuccarello and Fiala, while Laughton could give the Kings a strong veteran presence down the middle on the third line.
Projecting the LA Kings defensive pairings for 2026-27
Probably the biggest question mark going into opening night for the Kings and Laviolette is whether the coaching staff is planning to make any moves to shake up the defensive core going into this upcoming season. Early this offseason, Holland and the Kings made it a priority to shake things up on the blue line. But the front office hasn't made any impactful signings this summer that have changed the shape of the top-six defensive corps for the Kings.
Led by newly extended young defenseman Brandt Clarke, the Kings will be looking to get more out of the blue line, driving the play offensively and moving the puck up the ice in transition this upcoming season. It wouldn't surprise me to see the coaching staff give Clarke more responsibility on the blue line and on special teams on the power play.
Defensemen
Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty
Joel Edmundson - Brandt Clarke
Cody Ceci - Brian Dumoulin
The top defensive pairing for the Kings this upcoming season remains the same with Drew Doughty and Mikey Anderson, while Clarke might have the biggest opportunity to make big strides. If Laviolette and staff gives Clarke more freedom to drive the offense from the blue line, his role alongside Joel Edmundson could become a crucial part of improving the Kings' transition game.
Who starts in net for the LA Kings?
This is likely the biggest position battle for the Kings entering training camp this fall. Anton Forsberg and Darcy Kuemper are battling to see who can earn the crease going into opening night. Forsberg was the starter at the end of this past regular season, but Kuemper is just one year removed from being a Vezina Trophy finalist for the Kings in the 2024-25 campaign.
Based on how this past season ended, I would give Forsberg the slight edge here. But the competition between Forsberg and Kuemper could be one of the most important position battles when training camp begins.
Goalies
Anton Forsberg
Darcy Kuemper
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