Kevin Fiala's recovery from the serious leg injury that ended his season is going better than expected, with the Kings star now ahead of schedule and potentially on track for training camp.
For months, the Los Angeles Kings had no idea when—or even in what shape—Kevin Fiala would return.
Now, they finally have some answers.
Fiala is ahead of schedule in his recovery from the broken leg that ended his 2025-26 season, according to general manager Ken Holland. After spending the offseason rehabbing the injury and rebuilding the strength in his leg, Fiala has avoided any setbacks and is putting himself in position to return for training camp.
That is a major development for a Kings team that spent the second half of last season without one of its most dangerous offensive players.
And considering how his season ended, simply getting to this point is no small thing.
Fiala suffered fractures to his lower left leg on Feb. 13 while representing his native Switzerland against Canada at the Winter Olympics in Milan. He was forced from the game on a stretcher after suffering the injury, ending his Olympic tournament and raising immediate questions about his recovery timeline.
The injury also brought his NHL season to a close.
Fiala underwent successful surgery to repair the fractures before beginning what became a long offseason of rehabilitation. There was no guaranteed timeline for his return, leaving the Kings to wait and see how his recovery progressed.
So far, they have gotten about as much good news as they could have hoped for.
According to Holland, Fiala is healing extremely well and is actually ahead of schedule. Had the Kings advanced deep enough into last season's playoffs, Fiala potentially could have been available as a depth option.
Los Angeles never got that opportunity, but Fiala's progress gives the team plenty of reason to feel better about his chances of being ready for the start of the new season.
And the Kings could use him.
Fiala appeared in only 56 games last season but still produced 18 goals and 22 assists for 40 points. His absence was felt during the second half of the year, particularly as Los Angeles tried to generate enough offense without one of its established scoring threats.
The Kings acquired Fiala from the Minnesota Wild in June 2022, sending Brock Faber and a first-round pick that became Liam Öhgren to Minnesota. Since then, both teams have gotten good players from the deal. Faber has become an important defenseman for the Wild, while Fiala has been a key part of the Kings’ offense.
Now, after months spent trying to get his leg right, Fiala is getting closer to returning to the place he wants to be.
There are still boxes to check. He will have to pass his physical and show during training camp that the leg can handle the demands of NHL competition.
But there have been no setbacks.
For a player who was carried off the ice on a stretcher in a disturbing scene less than seven months ago, being ahead of schedule is a pretty encouraging place to start.
