{"id":580129,"date":"2026-05-21T07:54:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T07:54:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/580129\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T07:54:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T07:54:20","slug":"la-kings-need-massive-moves-to-stay-in-contention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/580129\/","title":{"rendered":"LA Kings Need Massive Moves to Stay in Contention"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Kings<\/a><\/p>\n

\"NHL:Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect <\/p>\n

This past season, the Los Angeles Kings made the playoffs, even though they may not have.<\/p>\n

The team was up and down all season, and it cost them a better playoff seeding.<\/p>\n

The offense was inconsistent. The defense and goaltending were inconsistent, and so was the coaching.The Kings have two massive problems to figure out before next season, and time is not on their side.Who is the Coach?<\/p>\n

The first thing they need to figure out is who will be the Kings\u2019 coach. Will D.J. Smith be brought back<\/a>? Or will GM Ken Holland decide to bring in a new voice to lead this team? Every week, the list of excellent candidates grows, including those who could be a better fit than Smith or former coach Jim Hiller.<\/p>\n

Plenty of choices for head coach with experience and success, but that list is not expected to be this long for that long due to prime choices available.<\/p>\n

Kris Knobluach, formally of the Edmonton Oilers, joins David Carle, Manny Malhotra<\/a>, Peter DeBoer, Jay Woodcroft, Craig Berube, and Bruce Cassidy as the top-notch available head coaches out there for work. It would be hard pressed to say any of those names do not belong in Los Angeles, and one may not find an argument saying any of these names were not a better fit than the last two coaches for the Kings<\/a>. Holland must make a decision quickly because once the time runs out on the Stanley Cup final, these names are expected to go quickly.<\/p>\n

The Center Position and the Need for Offense<\/p>\n

Another big topic is the center position and the need for offense via a top-six forward. A top-tier center or winger with offensive skill does not come along often and does not come without a high asking price. Some of the names attached to Los Angeles include Elias Pettersson<\/a>, Mika Zibanejad, Patrik Laine, Shane Wright, and Auston Matthews. Let us dig into these selections.<\/p>\n

\"NHL:<\/a>IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Laine is a big no due to his missed games<\/a> and drop in production. Everywhere he has played, there has been some issue. ZIbanejad would be a nice add because he can supply offense and be that number once center, but his age might scare off Holland. Wright could be a nice add in a couple of ways. He is a young, right-handed center shot and plays a 200-foot game. He would be a solid addition, but he would likely come at a high price. Matthews would be a massive addition<\/a> to the lineup. A center capable of scoring 50 goals a season? If the Toronto Maple Leafs really want to shake things up, Los Angeles should put a massive package together to get him. He fits the mold of an offensively gifted center who can score goals, one thing the Kings were inconsistent with.<\/p>\n

While a few of these names would be a bad fit for the Kings, do not rule out everyone. It may seem impossible, but we all know anyone can be traded if the deal is right. Let us remember that the Maple Leafs and Kings do have a history of making some deals. Players who could be trade bait from the Kings include Andrei Kuzmenko and Scott Laughton<\/a>, who are both unrestricted free agents.<\/p>\n

The projected cap space<\/a> for Los Angeles for the 2026-27 season is $18.33 million, plenty to upgrade the entire roster. Holland knows he has many decisions to make on and off the ice. He must certainly not waste time, as other teams will act quickly to secure players or coaches.<\/p>\n

As of now, the Kings do not have the manpower or coaching to compete for a Stanley Cup. This roster needs a massive shakeup, and they need a new leader behind the bench.<\/p>\n

There is time to fix these issues, but he has to act now.<\/p>\n

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Tags: Craig Berube<\/a> D.J. Smith<\/a> Edmonton oilers<\/a> Elias Pettersson<\/a> Jay Woodcroft<\/a> Ken Holland<\/a> Kings<\/a> Kris Knobluach<\/a> LA Kings<\/a> Los Angeles Kings<\/a> NHL<\/a> oilers<\/a> Peter DeBoer<\/a> Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> <\/p>\n

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