The Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers could be protagonists during the 2026 offseason, according to the most recent rumors.
While the Kings started the season negatively with a record of 1-3-2 after their first six games, the Oilers have had mixed results, with a record of 2-2-1 in one game less than Los Angeles.
Advertisement
Jim Hiller’s team lost 3-4 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, which dropped them to sixth place in the Pacific Division.
The Oilers, awaiting the result against the Detroit Red Wings, are in fourth place in the Pacific Division. They will face the Ottawa Senators next Tuesday.
As the season progresses, rumors and updates continue to emerge about some roster moves, specifically regarding the Kings, and a recent report indicates that they are not managing to make significant progress in extending one of their stars.
Advertisement
Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) looks up the ice during a game against the Winnipeg Jets in the first period at Canada Life Centre.
Kings’ Adrian Kempe Negotiations Stall with Oilers Lurking
According to David Pagnotta, there have been no major advances in the Adrian Kempe extension talks with the Los Angeles team.
“I don’t know if LA has made up any significant ground in terms of bridging the financial gap. And that’s one of the reasons they put a pause in the negotiations for the time being,” said Pagnotta on the “Oilersnation Everyday” podcast.
According to the cited reporter, with the recent changes in the NHL landscape, such as the Kirill Kaprizov record-breaking contract, the Kings will have to accept that it will cost them more than initially planned.
Advertisement
“With the changing of the landscape, they’ve got to figure that out from the LA side of things, and understand that it’s gonna cost you a lot to keep this guy.”
Pagnotta mentioned the Edmonton Oilers as one of the NHL teams that will be keeping an eye on what happens with Kempe, 29, and pointed out that the contract the winger is seeking is likely to be approximately $11 million annually.
“There are teams like Edmonton and others that are quasi-lurking in the weeds, just curious as to where this is gonna go. There are gonna be a number of potential suitors that are gonna go after this guy. The Kings and (GM) Kenny Holland have to accept the fact that his contract’s likely gonna be in the 11s.”
Advertisement
Kempe entered the fourth and final year of his current deal with the Kings, with a total value of $22 million and a cap hit of $5.5 million. The experienced forward is playing his tenth season in the NHL with Los Angeles.
Related: Penguins May Let $24.4M Center Walk, Linked to Panthers and Maple Leafs
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Oct 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.