Looking back on the 2025-26 season for the Kings, while the result was not what they had hoped for, there were still some positives to take away and apply heading into the next season.
The Kings had their fair share of ups and downs throughout the 2025-26 NHL season, and while there were some negatives, the team also had a good number of positives to take away. The Kings' positives throughout the season were their defence, the trades they made, and the mix of young and older players throughout the lineup.
Defense
While the Kings had issues with their offence, the opposite was true for their defence and goaltending. The Kings are known for being a team that can keep the puck out of their net, and even in the playoffs, in the first 2 games, they held the best offensive team in the NHL to only 2 goals. The Kings were tied for 7th in goals against average, allowing 2.90 goals per game, and ranked 25th in goals allowed with 238.
Overall, while the Kings' defence may not be the best when you look at the lineup, the way they operate their goaltending and defence works for them and allows them to be successful. Throughout the season, this was a very important aspect of the game for the Kings, as while they may not have scored often, they were not getting scored on often either.
Trades
The second positive was the Kings' trades throughout the season. While most involved trading players for draft picks, such as Phillip Danault, Warren Foegele, and Corey Perry, the players the Kings acquired were an extreme positive for the team.
The first trade was arguably the biggest of the season, acquiring Artemi Panarin in exchange for Liam Greentree and a conditional 2026 3rd-round pick and a 2028 4th-round pick. That alone was a good trade, but the Kings were able to sign Panarin to a 2-year deal, and the hockey world felt they did not give up enough for him.
The second trade was for Scott Laughton, who was traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a 2026 conditional 3rd round pick. While this wasn't the most blockbuster move, it added depth to the Kings, and they also have interest in keeping Laughton, as he is a pending UFA.
Both players made an impact on the Kings during the 2025-26 season, and for the future, and if the Kings can maintain these types of trades, it could prove beneficial down the line.
Roster Balance
The third positive from the season was the Kings' ability to have both youth and experience throughout the lineup. The Kings can rely on Kopitar and Doughty, but they can also see the progression from their younger guys as the season goes on. While the players may not have had the most outstanding seasons, it allowed them to grow and improve slowly.
Brandt Clarke recorded a career high in points after averaging nearly 20 minutes a night playing alongside Joel Edmundson. Mikey Anderson also spent most of the season playing with Drew Doughty and had a good season, registering 20 points. Even with acquiring Panarin and Laughton, the Kings' core is both young and old, and that can be a promising factor heading into the next season.
Overall, the Kings' season had some positives, and while there were areas the Kings needed to improve, there were also aspects they can bring from the 2025-26 season into the 2026-27 season.