Looking ahead to the 2026-27 NHL season and previewing Artemi Panarin's first full season with the Los Angeles Kings.
It is finally September, and that means that NHL hockey is right around the corner, and Kings fans are also getting set for their first season without Anze Kopitar since 2006. It is also the first time that Kings fans will see Artemi Panarin wear a Kings jersey throughout the entire season after he was traded to the Kings in February.
2025-26 Season
Since Artemi Panarin spent the latter half of the 2025-26 NHL season with the Kings, his point production in his short time with the Kings proved just how valuable he is to the Kings; in 26 games with the Kings last season, Panarin registered 27 points. Before Panarin was traded, he played 52 games with the New York Rangers, where he registered 57 points and finished with 84 points in 78 games.
2026-27 Season
Looking towards the upcoming NHL season, it is safe to say that Panarin will likely be one of the Kings' offensive leaders alongside Adrian Kempe and Kevin Fiala. Panarin and Kempe also formed a strong duo during the latter half of the 2025-26 season. Artemi Panarin has averaged a point per game over the last 5 seasons and has scored 20 goals in 5 straight seasons.
With the Kings also hiring Peter Laviolette, it reunites the old Rangers coach with Panarin, who had his best career season under Laviolette back in the 2023-24 NHL season. For the Kings organization and their fans, the expectation for Panarin is high, but given how elite he has been over the last couple of seasons, it would seem to make sense for Panarin, barring any injuries, to reach his points-per-game mark and score 20 goals.
Overall, Panarin will be one of the most consistent Kings throughout the season, and I predict he will not only hit the 20-goal mark but also surpass 82 points and post another point-per-game season.
