The Los Angeles Kings have re-signed centerman Scott Laughton to a three-year contract. At this time, the average annual value is unknown, but many are expecting the contract to fall into the $4.5 million range.
Scott Laughton is heading back to the #LAKings
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 1, 2026
This is a deal that the Kings wanted to get done for some time. Many close to the Kings' organization thought this was going to get across the finish line before July 1 and now it has.
Laughton helps take pressure off young center core
Laughton originally arrived in Los Angeles at the trade deadline, when the Kings acquired him from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a conditional third-round draft pick. He made an immediate impact out west, sliding right into the lineup and providing exactly what the front office was looking for.
In 21 regular season games down the stretch with the Kings, the 32 year old veteran chipped in with five goals and eight points while playing heavy, reliable minutes. He brought a distinct edge and playoff style of hockey to the roster, proving his worth as a versatile asset who can elevate a team's drive.
Locking him up for three years becomes even more crucial when looking at the current state of the Kings' roster. With franchise legend Anze Kopitar officially hitting retirement, Los Angeles is left with a massive hole down the middle of the ice. No single player is going to replace what Kopitar brought to the franchise, but Laughton has the perfect toolkit to help shoulder that load.
He is an incredibly smart, defensively responsible center who can swallow up tough defensive zone starts, match up against top opposing lines, and anchor the penalty kill. By locking him up, general manager Ken Holland ensures the team has a trusted veteran to insulate the younger players, stabilize the center group, and play those heavy minutes when the games get tight.
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