The King’s Reign | NHL 25 Franchise Mode

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(Well since the forum update deleted my old thread, let's try this again haha)

And We’re Back! Let’s give it another kick at the can shall we. No promises just gonna have some fun with and see where it goes. Not going to in as much detail as past ‘chises but that may change down the road depending how hooked I get.

We’re starting this one off with the LA Kings. I basically simmed the whole first season and took over come Draft time. I’ll give out the basic info on what went down in year one and then go from there

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Los Angeles Kings History

Season-By-Season Results

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Coaching History

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All Time Stats

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League History

2024-25 Season Summary

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Draft History

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Championship Banners

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Hockey Hall of Fame

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AHL Results

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Coaching History

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Award Voting Results

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Other Leagues History

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IIHF Tournaments

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Standings and Playoff Bracket

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Award Winners and All Star Teams

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Los Angeles Kings Player Stats

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2025 NHL Draft Lottery Odds and Results

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2025 NHL 1st Round Draft Results
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2025 NHL Draft Day Trades
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Biggest Takeaways from the 2025 NHL Free Agent Frenzy

By Vincent Barlow 12m Ago

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The biggest moments of the offseason have come and gone and we are that much closer to the 2025-26 NHL season.

The fireworks have gone off, the dust has settled, and another NHL Free Agent Frenzy is in the books. As we are now that much closer to the 2025-26 season, here are the biggest takeaways from the 2025 offseason.

Marner Mania: Blackhawks Land Their Superstar Winger

After months of speculation, the Mitch Marner sweepstakes are officially over… and it’s the Chicago Blackhawks who hit the jackpot. Marner, one of the top playmakers in the league, heads to the Windy City on a massive seven-year deal, immediately becoming the running mate phenom Connor Bedard has been waiting for since his arrival. With his AAV about to clock in at $10.925 million per season, Marner is also keen on staying a Blackhawk with a full No-Movement Clause attached to the deal.

Not only does this move inject elite offensive talent into Chicago’s top six, but it signals that GM Kyle Davidson is ready to accelerate the rebuild. That wasn’t the only big name signing as Matt Duchene signed a two-year contract at just under $6.4 million per season. The Hawks have suddenly become must-watch hockey again and will be vying for their first playoff appearance since 2020.


Offer Sheets are Now a Real Threat

It’s been years of GMs dancing around the taboo of offer sheets, but the 2025 offseason might go down as the turning point. After we saw the St. Blues successfully offer sheet Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway last offseason, teams are more willing than ever to swing big if it means poaching prime-age talent. A pair of RFAs received serious bids—one even signing—and it may have a massive ripple down effect for years to come

Entering the offseason, Evan Bouchard (EDM) and Cam York (PHI) were the big name RFA’s on the market. Both young, offensive defenseman, many teams around the league could use one of these players on their backend. Cam York received an offer sheet from the Columbus Blue Jackets at $8.42 million over four years. That price tag would have netted the Flyers a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round pick from CBJ in next year’s draft, however the Flyers elected to match the offer sheet and keep the 24-year-old in Pennsylvania.

It was the offer sheet to Evan Bouchard that really shocked the hockey world when the Los Angeles Kings sent him a 7 year deal worth $82.25 million (11.750 million per year). Coming off a Stanley Cup win, Bouchard was the Oilers number one defenseman and while his numbers weren’t as flashy as the year prior (82 points to 66 in the regular season, 32 points to 10 in the playoffs) there was no denying he was a huge piece for that championship squad. With the Oilers strapped for cap space, they decided to instead take the compensation for their star defenseman, the King’s next four years of first round picks. After a season that saw them finish 23rd in the NHL, those could prove to be some valuable picks if Los Angeles can’t turn things around in a hurry.

With cap space at a premium and superstar RFAs on the rise, expect more bold front-office plays like this in summers to come. The age of timid negotiations may be coming to an end.


Storm Surge Reloaded

After a sweep at the hands of the Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final, the Carolina Hurricanes wasted no time retooling their roster in free agency. Their answer? Veteran savvy. The Canes brought in Claude Giroux, Brandon Saad, and Jonathan Quick, adding a combined four cup wins between the latter two and a proven playoff performer in Giroux.

This isn’t just window dressing. Giroux remains a faceoff ace and locker room leader. Saad brings two-way punch. And Quick, while not a starter anymore, has proven he can steal games when it matters. This is a team going all-in again after finally overcoming their Eastern Conference Finals nightmares.


When Rat’s Fly

If you thought seeing him in a Panthers jersey was odd, wait till you see him in a Maple Leafs sweater. “The Rat” Brad Marchand, longtime Maple Leafs nemesis, will now wear the blue and white. After a short stint in Florida, Marchand inked a two-year deal with Toronto, adding a heavy dose of leadership, Stanley Cup experience and undeniable skill.

Love him or hate him, there’s no denying Marchand’s pedigree. He scored 25 goals and 59 points last year for the 51-win Florida Panthers. His arrival gives the Leafs a new edge and a whole lot of bite for a team that’s often been criticized for lacking playoff toughness.


Blue Jackets Splash the Cash

Not a lot of people were expecting this, but the Columbus Blue Jackets were among the biggest spenders in free agency, shelling out a whopping $67 million to bring in Neal Pionk, Jack Roslovic, Reilly Smith, and Corey Perry.

Pionk gives their blue line a puck-moving punch. Roslovic returns to familiar territory with something to prove. Smith adds versatility and a winning pedigree. And Perry? He’s built for playoff wars. This is a bold move by GM Don Waddell, and it might just kick start a new identity for Columbus, a team no longer content to sit on the sidelines.

2025 Free Agency Notable Signings

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By Russell Dawson / Los Angeles Kings
October 26, 2025

The 2025-2026 NHL Season is underway and we have seen the Los Angeles Kings come out to a flying start. Let's take a look at how they've done:

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Around the League

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Kings of the West: Los Angeles Continues to Roll

By Russell Dawson / Los Angeles Kings
November 16th, 2025

Your Los Angeles Kings continue to dominate so far this season as they have just two regulation losses through 15 games. They lead the Western Conference in points with 25 points and are coming off of a 11-3 drumming of the Blue Jackets. Anze Kopitar had the best game of his career in that one as he had himself a SEVEN point night with a Hat Trick and four assists.

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Puck Drop: Rookie Race Heating Up and the Colorado Avalanche on the Downslope

By Vincent Barlow & Dylan Lafleur 12m Ago
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Welcome to Puck Drop, your bi-weekly destination for the latest NHL headlines, player performances, injury updates, and all things happening in the National Hockey League. Hosted by The Athletic's NHL writer Vincent Barlow and NHL Insider Dylan Lafleur

Welcome to The Puck Drop! As the 2025-26 NHL season is in full swing, we’re here to bring you all the excitement, drama, and latest news from around the league. As we hit the quarter mark of the season, we have already seen some thrilling matchups and standout performances. From rookies making their mark to veterans showing they still have it, this season is shaping up to be one for the books. Let's drop the puck and get started on an unforgettable journey through the NHL season


Calder Chaos: Rookie Race Wide Open Early

We’re early into the 2025-26 season but already the Calder Trophy conversation is heating up, and this year’s rookie class might be one of the deepest in recent memory.

Leading the charge is Washington’s Ryan Leonard, who has stormed out of the gate with 10 goals and 14 points through just 14 games. The 20-year-old winger isn’t just leading all rookies—he’s pacing the Capitals in scoring outright, making him an instant fan favorite in D.C.

Hot on his heels is Jagger Firkus, the crafty Seattle forward whose 14 points in 15 games have the Kraken competing in the West. Firkus, 21, has showcased elite offensive instincts, finding chemistry with Seattle’s top six while drawing praise for his vision and knack for slipping into scoring areas.

But if team success factors into the Calder debate, Ivan Demidov deserves serious attention. The 19-year-old phenom has registered 14 points in 16 games for a Montreal Canadiens squad that’s tied for the league lead with a sharp 12-3-1 record. Demidov’s blend of skill and poise has Canadiens brass believing they’ve landed a cornerstone talent and the league is taking notice.

Also making noise is Dalibor Dvorsky in St. Louis. The 20-year-old has 13 points through 16 games and is tied for the team lead in scoring, providing a steady offensive punch for a Blues squad in transition. His all-around game and quick adaptation to NHL pace have earned him top-line minutes and heavy power-play usage (5 Power Play points)

Between the pipes, Sebastian Cossa is doing his part to try and get the Red Wings back to the playoffs. The 22-year-old netminder boasts a 7-2-2 record with a .909 save percentage and 2.92 GAA through 12 starts. While his numbers don’t scream domination, his calm presence and timely saves have been a stabilizing force in Detroit’s crease.

It’s still early, but if this pace holds, the Calder race could go down to the wire.


Backlund Turns Back the Clock as Flames’ Surprise Scoring Leader

At 36, Mikael Backlund wasn’t supposed to be the guy. Not in a league trending younger every season. And certainly not on a Calgary team that was supposed to be turning the page. But through 17 games, the veteran center has turned back the clock in emphatic fashion, leading the Flames in scoring with 20 points and showing no signs of slowing down.

Backlund’s seven goals and 13 assists put him ninth in league scoring as of mid-November, ahead of names that typically dominate the headlines. His 62.3 percent faceoff clip ranks among the league’s elite, and he’s doing it all while logging tough minutes against top opposition.

This, from a player who tallied 41 points in a full 82-game slate last year.

“It’s been a pleasant surprise the way he’s producing for us right now,” said Flames coach Ryan Huska. “He’s leading by example—his consistency, his compete, and just the way he’s reading the game right now… It’s elite.”

Calgary, sitting second in the Pacific Division with an 8-6-3 record, has leaned heavily on Backlund’s leadership. If he maintains anything close to this pace, he’s tracking toward a career-best 96 points. That’s well above his previous high of 56 set just two seasons ago.

Whether it’s a final act or the sign of a new chapter, Backlund’s play has added an unexpected twist to the Flames story this season


Avalanche Buried Early as Scoring Dries Up in Denver

The Colorado Avalanche were supposed to be in the thick of the Western Conference race. Instead, they’re buried near the bottom of the standings, and it’s not hard to see why.

With a 4-9-2 record, the Avs sit dead last in the West and rank as the NHL’s third-worst team overall. The culprits? A non-existent power play, a sputtering offense, and now, a key injury to an important depth piece.

Through 15 games, Colorado is averaging just 2.33 goals per contest—second-worst in the NHL—and their power play has hit rock bottom. Literally. The Avalanche have managed just one goal in 43 man-advantage opportunities, a brutal 2.3% conversion rate that ranks dead last in the league.

“I don’t know if it’s confidence, execution, or both,” said head coach Jared Bednar. “But right now, nothing’s clicking.”

The injury bug hasn’t helped. Veteran center Brock Nelson, brought in to solidify the middle six, is out for the next 2–3 months with a sprained MCL. With the team already starving for secondary scoring, his absence only magnifies the pressure on the stars.

Nathan MacKinnon (13 points) and Cale Makar (10 points) have been productive but they aren’t playing like their usual otherworldly selves. They look mortal so far this season. As far as scoring goes after those two, the well dries up. With little offensive help from the bottom six and inconsistent goaltending behind them (3.20 goals against per game, eighth-worst in the NHL), the Avalanche are struggling to stay afloat in a competitive Central Division.

With each passing game, this season is starting to feel less like a slow start and more like a full-blown crisis.


Ovechkin Two Goals Shy of Breaking Gretzky’s Record

The Great Eight is on the doorstep of hockey immortality.

With 893 career goals, Alex Ovechkin now sits just one goal behind Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL mark of 894. The 40-year-old Capitals legend is defying Father Time once again this season, and with history in reach, the entire hockey world is watching.

Whether it happens in days or weeks, one thing is certain: the goal-scoring crown is about to change hands—and Ovechkin is ready to etch his name atop the greatest record in NHL history. Below is the upcoming schedule for the Caps:

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Quarter-Mark Season Update




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Kings Slow Down But Still Lead the West

By Russell Dawson / Los Angeles Kings
December 8th, 2025

Through their last nine games your LA Kings have gone 4-4-1, dropping games to Florida, St. Louis, Calgary, Winnipeg and Minnesota. The potential goaltender of the future Hampton Slukynsky made his NHL debut in mid November after Erik Portillo went down with injury. Playing against Anaheim, Columbus and Utah, Slukynsky went 3-0-0 with a .920 SV%. Not bad for just a 20 year old netminder.

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Puck Drop: Montreal’s Back, Florida’s Rolling, and Trouble in Edmonton

By Vincent Barlow & Dylan Lafleur 8m Ago
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Welcome to Puck Drop, your bi-weekly destination for the latest NHL headlines, player performances, injury updates, and all things happening in the National Hockey League. Hosted by The Athletic's NHL writer Vincent Barlow and NHL Insider Dylan Lafleur


Panthers Roaring Through the NHL

There’s no hotter team in hockey than the Florida Panthers right now.

Winners of 10 straight, the Cats have clawed their way to the top of the NHL standings with a blistering 26-6-0 record, good for 40 points and the league’s best mark as of mid-December. Balanced, dangerous, and deep, this group has found its identity early—and it’s a scary one for the rest of the league.

Sam Reinhart has been the poster boy for Florida’s offensive firepower. With 21 goals and 36 points, he leads the league in goals and sits among the top scorers overall. But it’s not just Reinhart—this team is firing on all cylinders. Remarkably, not a single player on the roster is in the minus, with Dmitry Kulikov the lowest at an even rating and Gustav Forsling leading the way with a +29. That's not just good—it's downright dominant.

In goal, Sergei Bobrovsky is putting together a stellar season at the ripe old age of 37 years old. Bobrovsky has been nothing short of elite, posting a 15-4-0 record and a .923 save percentage, making a strong early case to be back in the Vezina Trophy conversation.

But despite their run, it’s no cakewalk atop the Atlantic. Montreal (17-4-4), Tampa Bay (16-9-1), and Ottawa (15-8-4) are all within striking distance, making the division one of the most competitive in hockey.

Florida’s streak is turning heads, but the message from the room is simple: stay the course. With their depth, star power, and a goaltender channeling vintage “Bob,” the Panthers are proving they’re more than just contenders—they might just be the favorites.


Sharks Swimming in Opposite Directions on Special Teams

If you'd told anyone back in October that the San Jose Sharks would be flirting with a Western Conference playoff spot by December, most would’ve laughed you out of the room. But here we are: with a 12-10-2 record, the Sharks currently sit seventh in the West, turning early-season expectations upside down.

But the real story in the Bay Area isn’t just that they’re winning—it’s how they’re doing it.

San Jose owns the best penalty kill in the NHL, an eye-popping 95.3% efficiency, having surrendered just two power-play goals on 43 chances. It’s a defensive masterclass from a roster that, on paper, wasn’t expected to shut anyone down. But for all their short-handed brilliance, their power play has been an unmitigated disaster.

At just 5.9% efficiency—dead last in the league—the Sharks have scored only three goals on 51 power-play opportunities. It’s a baffling figure when you look at the offensive talent on this roster. Macklin Celebrini leads the team with 24 points, Michael Hage has chipped in 10 goals, and Will Smith is finding his rhythm with 15 points. Yet somehow, the man advantage looks more like a disadvantage.

The disconnect is puzzling, and head coach David Quinn knows it. “We’ve got skill, but we’re not playing fast or connected on the power play,” he recently told reporters. “It’s something we’re working on every day.”

If the Sharks can even marginally fix their special teams imbalance—say, bring the PP into the teens—they could solidify themselves as a legitimate playoff threat in a crowded Western race.

Until then, they're the NHL’s greatest contradiction: killer when down a man, helpless when up one.


Oilers Feeling the Burn Without Bouchard

The banner may still be hanging in the rafters, but the Stanley Cup glow is fading fast in Edmonton.

Just months removed from hoisting hockey’s ultimate prize, the Oilers find themselves in disarray, sitting second-last in the Pacific Division with an 11-15-0 record. And while plenty of fingers are being pointed, one absence is proving harder to replace than anyone anticipated: Evan Bouchard.

When the LA Kings successfully offer-sheeted Bouchard this past offseason, the Oilers opted not to match, confident their high-octane core could withstand the blow. Instead, they’re learning just how essential the 24-year-old blueliner was to last spring’s championship run.

Stuart Skinner, the breakout star of the 2025 playoffs with a .929 save percentage and 3 shutouts, hasn’t found the same magic this year. His .904 SV% and 3.10 GAA are a step backward, and the defensive zone play in front of him has lacked the structure and poise Bouchard once brought.

Offensively, the stars are producing. Leon Draisaitl (32 points), Connor McDavid (26), and Zach Hyman (21) are doing their part. But the supporting cast? Disappearing acts. Matthew Savoie, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Adam Henrique are all dragging ugly minus-15 or worse ratings into December, and the lack of depth scoring and defensive reliability is dragging this team down.

The question now looms large: can Edmonton rebound, or was Bouchard the linchpin holding it all together?

Time’s ticking—and the Pacific isn’t getting any easier.


Montreal is So Back

The Montreal Canadiens are back, ladies and gentlemen. This team is young, this team is skilled, and this team is flat-out good. With a sizzling record of 17-4-4, Les Habitants currently sit second in the NHL standings, just months removed from finishing third-last in the Eastern Conference a season ago. The turnaround? Nothing short of remarkable.

Captain Nick Suzuki, fresh off winning the Selke Trophy, has continued to show why he’s one of the most complete two-way centers in the game. His leadership and consistency have anchored a Habs squad that is quickly becoming one of the league’s most dangerous.

And it’s not just Suzuki. This team is oozing with young talent. Ivan Demidov, David Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux, and Michael Hage are all contributing rookies—each one showing flashes of stardom. For a group so green, the confidence they play with is startling. This isn’t a fluke—they’re earning every bit of their spot near the top.

It’s also worth noting that just five players on the roster are over the age of 30—Brendan Gallagher, Evander Kane, Mike Matheson, Josh Anderson, and Anton Forsberg—which only underscores how bright the future looks in Montreal.

From bottom-feeder to buzzsaw, this Habs team has arrived ahead of schedule. And if they keep playing like this, the days of rebuild mode are officially over.


Marner and Bedsy’s Blackhawks: A New Era in the Windy City

After years of rebuilding and restless nights in the Windy City, it finally feels like something real is brewing in Chicago again.

Riding a 14-9-2 record, the Blackhawks sit atop the Central Division, and the spark behind the turnaround is no mystery. The dynamic duo of Connor Bedard and Mitch Marner has quickly become one of the league’s most exciting pairings, with Marner racking up 32 points in his first season in red and black after signing a blockbuster deal in free agency.

It wasn’t just Marner, either. The Hawks also added Matt Duchene, who’s chipped in 26 points and brought veteran savvy to a suddenly rejuvenated forward group. But the biggest winner in all this? Connor Bedard himself.

“This is the most fun I’ve had since getting to Chicago,” Bedard told Puck Drop following a 3-1 win over Boston. “Mitch and Dutchy bring so much energy and creativity. It’s helped my game a ton, but more than that, it’s just changed the whole vibe here. You feel it in the room, you feel it in the city—it’s electric right now.”

With Bedard still developing into a true superstar and the Hawks finally surrounding him with elite talent, the franchise’s long climb back to relevance might just be over.

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Around the League

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LA Kings Update: 6 Game Win Streak keeps LA atop the Western Conference

By Russell Dawson / Los Angeles Kings
December 27th, 2025

2026 Winter Olympic Ice Hockey Rosters Announced

By Vincent Barlow 3m Ago
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After months of speculation, heated debates, and lineup projections, the official rosters for the 2026 Winter Olympic men’s ice hockey tournament have finally been unveiled — and they do not disappoint. With NHL players returning to Olympic play for the first time since 2014, hockey fans across the globe are in for a star-studded spectacle in Milan and Cortina. From perennial powerhouses like Canada and the United States boasting rosters stacked with household names, to intriguing depth choices by nations like Finland and Czechia, the selections have already sparked plenty of buzz — and controversy — across the hockey world. Here's the officially announced rosters, separated by their respective groups

Group A

Group B

Group C

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Kings Halfway Mark Season Update

By Russell Dawson / Los Angeles Kings
January 15th, 2026

We are officially halfway through the 25-26 NHL Season which means in this article we're going to showcase the Kings player stats so far thus season, along with the team stats. Let's first dive into the last nine games which saw LA go 5-3-1 and lose three straight for just the first time this season. To start that three game skid the Kings dropped a 3-2 game against the league worst Philadelphia Flyers at home. They followed that up with a 4-1 loss to Colorado and then a tough 5-4 Shootout loss to the Bruins. However it was good to see the Kings bounce back against their division rivals in Vegas and Edmonton.



Below we have the player and stats for the Kings at the 41-game mark. Black-filled cells indicate a team leader. Here's just a couple things I wanted to touch on when looking at these statistics:

- Adrian Kempe has been a massive factor for the way the Kings are performing this season. I can sing his praises all article long but the one thing that scares me is his expiring contract. Just GM Rob Blake's luck that he would have a huge breakout season right before he's due for a payday. I'll touch on this more later on.

- A guy who is used to flying under the radar, Phillip Danault is quietly having a stellar season as his usual two-way dominant self. On pace for 64 points, that would be a career high for him and he is still among the best defensive centers in the league. He'll get some serious consideration for the Frank J. Selke trophy if he keeps playing like this.

- Pretty much the only player who has really dissapointed this season has been Swiss forward Kevin Fiala. His past three seasons have seen his point totals go from 73 to 37 and now just a measly 7 point in 29 games. While he has battled injuries to start this year he just has not been good enough and is seeing other guys pass him on the depth chart

- Evan Bouchard has been everything the Kings could have asked for and more with how he's elevated his play here in California. Leading the team in assists, points and plus/minus, the "Bouch Bomb" has really helped find this team a different level.

- Someone who has quite frankly become one of my favorite players to watch despite his limited ice time, Samuel Fagemo has been an ace in the hole for the Kings this season offensively. Despite being in-and-out of the lineup throughout the year, the 2019 2nd round pick has scored 10 goals and 13 points in just 25 games played. Those 10 goals have him tied for 5th-most on the team, ahead of names like Byfield, Fiala and Danault.

- The backbone of this season has to be the goaltending tandem of Portillo and Kuemper. Splitting games has worked wonders for these two as they sit 1st and 2nd in save percentage across the entire NHL and are on their way to potentially sharing a William M. Jennings Trophy. (The Kings have allowed the least amount of goals per game so far this season)

Since our last update, we had a trade and a contract extension take place. On his way out of LA is defenseman Kyle Burroughs as he is heading back to San Jose

Burroughs was unable to crack the Kings stellar defense core this season but felt he was still good enough for an NHL spot. He requested a trade earlier in the year and the Sharks came calling this past week for the 30-year old blueliner. With injuries to Brayden McNabb and Jack Thompson on their back-end, San Jose was looking for a familiar face to hold it down in the meantime. LA will also send a 5th rounder in 2027 and will receive the Sharks 4th rounder in 2027 as part of the deal.


The player who will be staying in a Kings uniform for the next six years is Brandt Clarke. The young defenseman would have been an RFA this offseason and after how they acquired Bouchard this offseason, they wanted to lock this guy up long term before anyone else had the chance to send him an offer.

However this extension does put the Kings in a tough spot cap wise. Bouchard and Doughty are already #1 and #2 in salaries for defenseman across the entire NHL. Adding Clarke's $7.5 million into the fold means LA will be paying three defenseman a combined $30.250 million. That's going to create issues elsewhere for Rob Blake to have to work around. That includes Adrian Kempe's next contract. If he continues the pace he's on he could finish the season with 90 points. How much would he demand then come contract talk time? Will the Kings be able to pay him what he wants or will he choose to test free agency? Big questions lie ahead for this squad both on and off the ice.










Puck Drop: East vs West Differences, Injury Woes in Seattle and Tampa Bay's "KGP" Line

By Vincent Barlow & Dylan Lafleur 17m Ago
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Welcome to Puck Drop, your bi-weekly destination for the latest NHL headlines, player performances, injury updates, and all things happening in the National Hockey League. Hosted by The Athletic's NHL writer Vincent Barlow and NHL Insider Dylan Lafleur

Injury Bug Bites Hard: Kraken Lose Three Key Players in Crucial Stretch

The Seattle Kraken were looking to make a real push in a wide-open Western Conference. Now, they’re just trying to stay afloat.

In the span of less than two weeks, Seattle has been dealt a trio of crushing injuries that could derail what was shaping up to be a promising season. It began on January 3 against the Florida Panthers when rookie defenseman Ville Ottavainen suffered an elbow injury. A few days later, the team announced the 22-year-old would require surgery and miss the next 4–6 months. It was a tough blow, though Ottavainen—while showing promise—wasn’t considered irreplaceable.

That changed quickly.

Just a week later, it was déjà vu against the same Panthers team when winger Kaapo Kakko went down. The Finnish forward was in the midst of a career resurgence, posting 28 points in 39 games and on pace to shatter his personal best of 40 points set back in 2023 with the New York Rangers. Now, he'll be sidelined for 2–3 months, and with it goes one of Seattle’s few consistent offensive threats. (Another thing to note of this injury is Kakko will now miss the Winter Olympics in Italy that start February 5th, a massive loss for both Kakko and the Finnish National Team)

Then came the dagger.

Two nights after losing Kakko, starting goaltender Joey Daccord suffered a groin injury while stretching to make a save against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 27-year-old was the Kraken’s No. 1 netminder this season, having a bounce back season after disappointing in 24-25 . On pace for a career year, Daccord will now miss up to two months at a time when Seattle can least afford it.

So where does that leave the Kraken?

Despite sitting third-last in the West, Seattle is just three points out of a wild-card spot. But without Kakko’s offense and Daccord’s goaltending, the road ahead just got significantly steeper. The net now belongs—at least temporarily—to veteran Philipp Grubauer. The 34-year-old has been wildly inconsistent since signing his six-year, $35-million contract in 2021. Though he’s posted a flashy .925 save percentage through 11 appearances this season, his 2–7–0 record speaks to a broader issue: the team simply hasn’t played well in front of him.

The other option? 21-year-old rookie Niklas Kokko, who’s been lights-out in the AHL with Coachella Valley. He boasts a 19–4–1 record and an eye-popping .932 save percentage, and there's growing buzz he might be ready for NHL action. But is it fair—or smart—to throw a young goalie into a high-pressure situation with the playoffs hanging in the balance?

It’s a question GM Ron Francis and head coach Dan Bylsma will have to answer sooner than expected. For a team that had quietly built momentum after a sluggish start, this could be the turning point—for better or worse.


East vs. West: A Tale of Two Conferences

The 2025‑26 NHL season has exposed a glaring imbalance between the Eastern and Western Conferences, and fans have voiced their displeasure about it. The Detroit Red Wings this season are the perfect example of how geography—not performance—can dictate a team’s fate.

Right now, the Red Wings sit near the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 43 points, just ahead of the Flyers. But if Detroit were still part of the Western Conference, where they played until realignment in 2013, they’d have the sixth-most points in the West and would be sitting third in the Central Division. That contrast has only added fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding the NHL’s current playoff format.

In the West, it’s a grind. From the second wild card spot to teams on the outside looking in, nearly a dozen clubs are separated by just a few points. The Kings, Flames, and Wild may be holding strong, but there’s no comfort zone—teams like Colorado, Edmonton, and Winnipeg, once postseason regulars, are hovering dangerously close to the bottom. Even Anaheim and Vancouver, sitting near the bottom of the standings, are still very much in the race.

Meanwhile, the East is a survival test. The top of the Atlantic is stacked with juggernauts like Florida and Montreal, while the Metro features some powerhouses like Columbus, Pittsburgh, and Carolina. There are at least ten teams with realistic playoff expectations fighting for eight spots, and solid teams are destined to be left out. It's a much tighter race at the top, but with far less breathing room for bubble teams.

The current playoff structure, which favors divisional matchups and conference-based qualification, is being questioned more than ever. If the 16 best teams were to make the playoffs regardless of conference, Detroit wouldn’t be in limbo. Instead, they’re stuck battling in a deeper, more top-heavy conference while teams with similar or worse records in the West remain in playoff contention.

The NHL’s emphasis on rivalries and regional alignment has its merits, but the league may have reached a tipping point. As it stands, Detroit is the victim of a format that doesn’t reflect competitive balance, and fans are once again demanding change. One thing is clear: the gap between East and West isn’t just anecdotal—it’s real, and it’s impacting the playoff picture in a big way.


The Best Line in Hockey Looking to One-Up Themselves in 2025-26

The “KGP Line” in Tampa Bay—featuring Jake Guentzel, Brayden Point, and Nikita Kucherov—has emerged as the most dominant trio in the NHL, and it’s not particularly close. What began as a promising combination last season has fully evolved into an unstoppable force, driving the Lightning’s offensive engine with precision, and chemistry that borders on telepathic.

Their breakout as a unit in 2024–25 saw Guentzel earn his first First All-Star Team nod, Kucherov land on the Second Team for the third time in his career, and Point finish third in league scoring. The three of them finished 3rd, 4th, and 5th in league points respectively—trailing only the Edmonton mutants—highlighting just how elite they were. Kucherov posted 111 points while Guentzel wasn’t far behind with 109.

Fast forward to this season, and the KGP Line is somehow even better. As of mid-January, they once again right beside each other in league scoring as the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th most point getters. Point is leading the league in goals at 34 and both Kucherov and Guentzel share the league lead in assists with 43 apiece. While Leon Draisaitl continues to cast a shadow atop the scoring charts, the Lightning trio is far more focused on what their performance is yielding in the standings.

And so far, it’s paying off. The Lightning currently sit third in the hyper-competitive Atlantic Division behind the Florida Panthers and Montreal Canadiens. They’re well-positioned for another deep playoff run as they look to reclaim their spot as Eastern Conference royalty following last year’s five-game exit to Carolina in the Eastern Conference Final.

With their elite talent, chemistry, and drive, the KGP Line isn’t just dominating the scoresheet—they’ve become the identity of a Lightning team chasing another shot at glory.


Dickinson Thriving as Unsung Hero on Blackhawks' Top Line

It wasn’t hard to imagine someone thriving alongside Mitch Marner and Connor Bedard on Chicago’s top line this season—but Jason Dickinson hasn’t just filled that role, he’s owned it. The 28-year-old has not only stepped up, he’s sprinted into the spotlight as the ideal complement to the Blackhawks’ new superstar duo, emerging as a key cog in the team’s surprising playoff push.

With 41 points in 42 games, Dickinson is on the verge of surpassing his career high—set just last season—and has found a perfect niche as the line’s physical, two-way engine. While Bedard and Marner dazzle with vision, skill, and playmaking, it’s Dickinson doing the grunt work: battling in the corners, throwing his weight around, and creating the kind of time and space that elite players thrive on. He’s bringing a bit of Sam Bennett’s edge to a line that desperately needed some sandpaper to go with all that silk.

Originally a first-round pick by Dallas back in 2013, Dickinson has taken the long road to this breakout. But now, with just one year left on his $4.25 million contract, he’s playing himself into a hefty raise. If he keeps this up, “Sam Bennett money” could be a realistic ask. For now, though, Dickinson isn’t worried about his next deal. With the Blackhawks clinging to the second wild card spot at 19-20-3, his focus is firmly on helping Chicago defy expectations and return to the postseason dance.

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