The early reception for the Los Angeles Kings unrestricted free agent signings this offseason has been mostly positive in the media and on fan circles in this past week.
Sportsnet evaluated the biggest free agent signings so far this offseason around the league in a piece from this past weekend.
The reaction from Sportsnet seemed to be that the outlet viewed the Kings' free agent signings in a positive lens. Sportsnet gave positive reviews for the most part of the major free agent signings the Kings made this offseason, including winger Mats Zuccarello, center Scott Laughton, and center Erik Haula.
Los Angeles Kings improved their roster in free agency, but questions about the team's age remain
Zuccarello was the signing that made the most headlines for the Kings in this past week or so. The comprehensive notion surrounding the Zuccarello signing is that the Kings are getting a valuable and proven playmaker who can upgrade the top-six forward group this upcoming season.
Sportsnet made note that Zuccarello "can still make plays" but that the Kings are also "creating the weirdest team" because of their roster age and new signings this offseason. Those were similar themes for the signings of Laughton and Haula, with each signing earning praise despite concerns about the roster getting older for the Kings.
The signings of Haula and Laughton also brought the Kings more proven experience in the forward group this upcoming season. In Haula, the Kings are getting a versatile two-way center who can make an impact and add depth in the middle of the lineup for a couple of years.
Bringing Laughton back for a few more seasons also gives the Kings more depth in the middle of the lineup, while also giving the team another versatile and physical center whose skill shouldn't be slept on.
The question surrounding some of the Kings' unrestricted free agent signings this offseason is if the team has gotten too old.
Sportsnet did hit on the question that many fans and media members are asking about the Kings roster going into training camp and the preseason this fall, will key signings like Haula and Zuccarello continue to produce at the same level at their age in the 2026-27 season?
I don't think the big goal of free agency for the Kings was to get younger for this upcoming season for new head coach Peter Laviolette and staff. The Kings wanted to address the center depth issue, add a proven top-six playmaker to the forward group, and strengthen the depth in the roster lineup to give Laviolette more players who can contribute immediately.
Sportsnet reaffirmed the notion that while the Kings' roster did get older this summer, the additions the team has made have helped to improve key priorities on both sides of the ice going into this upcoming season.
It's hard to argue with Sportsnet's biggest takeaway about the Kings' major free agent signings this offseason. The Kings are undoubtedly older after unrestricted free agency this summer, but they're also deeper and more veteran laden with experience on the roster.
Whether the formula works for Holland and the Kings of getting more proven experience on value contracts this offseason will depend on whether the veterans, like Zuccarello, Laughton, Haula, and even Corey Perry can continue to produce at the level they have in recent years. If they can, the Kings will remain firmly in the playoff picture in the Western Conference this upcoming season. But if age starts to catch up with them, Sportsnet's biggest concern here could be justified.
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