Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Los Angeles Kings made a splash in free agency, upgrading the forward and defensive groups.
While this free agency period was much improved over the 2025 period, fans still have questions.
Do the moves make the Kings a better all-around team heading into the 2026-27 season?The Kings and GM Ken Holland were busy in free agency, locking up NHL players as well as players for the Ontario Reign, the Kings’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate.Ontario Reign Signings
First, the players signed for Ontario.
Lane Pederson
Center Lane Pederson was signed to a 2-year, $1.75 million deal. The 28-year-old Pederson played for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL during the 2026-27 season, producing 48 points in 63 games.
Throughout his career, he has been a solid point producer who could have a significant impact on the Reign’s season.
Jan Jenik
Next is forward Jan Jenik, who was signed to a one-year, two-way deal worth $850,000. Last season, the 25-year-old spent time with Ontario after playing most of the season with the Belleville Senators, totaling 17 points in 41 games. Look for him to produce secondary scoring this season.
Scott Perunovich
Lastly, for Ontario, there was the signing of defenseman Scott Perunovich to a 1-year deal that will pay him $850,000 in the NHL and $ 650,000 in the AHL—a solid defenseman with AHL and NHL experience.
He could be a top-pairing defenseman in the AHL, but is used as depth with his NHL experience.
LA Kings Signings
For the Kings, many moves were made, and four of the five signings were forwards.
Erik Haula
First was the signing of Erik Haula to a 2-year, $7.2 million deal. This may be Holland’s best move because it gives the Kings much-needed center depth, and he has plenty of experience. He will help with secondary scoring and the penalty kill.
Mats Zuccarello
Next was the signing of forward Mats Zuccarello to a 1-year, $1 million deal. He could be used in a variety of ways, but will likely see time in the middle-six to start.
A proven NHL player with postseason experience, he will play a vital role in the Kings’ success this season.
Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectErik Gustafsson
Next was defenseman Erik Gustafsson, who signed a 1-year, $1 million deal. He will be a second-pairing guy but may also be impactful on the power play.
He is a point producer from the back end and will be counted on as a veteran presence.
Corey Perry
Next was the player everyone loves to hate. Forward Corey Perry returns to Los Angeles after signing a 1-year, $1 million deal.
We all know what Perry can do, and he played well during his short time in Los Angeles before being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning—a solid pickup for the Kings.
Scott Laughton
Next was a re-signing of center Scott Laughton to a 3-year, $10.5 million deal. This was crucial to getting him back in the fold, given what he did at the tail end of last season. After a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he produced eight points in 21 games but solidified the center position with his defensive play. Los Angeles could not afford to lose him at center, where the position lacked depth, but now it could be considered a strong position with the Kings this season.
Holland had a rough free-agent period last season. After the 2025-26 NHL season had concluded, he looked at the roster and noticed the lack of center depth. He signed Haula and brought back Laughton, and they are now strong down the middle.
They needed a player with grit to take the opponent off their game, enter Perry. The Kings needed secondary scoring and added Zuccarello, followed by an offensive defenseman, Gustafsson. He did much better this offseason.
The Kings look like a strong unit that could be built for the playoffs. While they look good and much better on paper, we have yet to play a game.
Holland gets a passing grade from me because he saw holes and filled them this offseason.
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Tags: AHL Corey Perry Edmonton oilers Erik Gustafsson Erik Haula Jan Jenik Ken Holland Kings LA Kings Lane Pederson Los Angeles Kings Maple Leafs Mats Zuccarello Nashville Predators NHL oilers Ontario Reign Predators Scott Perunovich Tampa Bay Lightning Toronto Maple Leafs
Categorized:Kings