3 Los Angeles Kings Players Who Could Be Gone by Opening Night

The NHL postseason has not slowed down since the Carolina Hurricanes captured the Stanley Cup on June 14, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6. With major moves like Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk being dealt to the Florida Panthers for draft picks, this offseason is expected to be filled with shocking news and trades. Here are three Los Angeles Kings who have failed to provide the offense the team needed this season and are not expected to be in a Kings sweater in 2026-27.

Moving Trevor Moore

While Trevor Moore still brings speed, energy, and a strong work ethic to the lineup, his inconsistency has become a concern. In 69 games last season, Moore scored just 13 goals and struggled to provide reliable offensive production on a nightly basis. Injuries have been an issue, forcing the Kings to constantly adjust their lines due to his absence. Although Moore is a valuable depth forward, he does not contribute enough, and Los Angeles could see him as a movable asset if it helps address other needs before opening night.

Despite his struggles, Moore could still attract interest around the league. Even after a not-so-good season, he remains a fast, hard-working winger who can contribute on the penalty kill and play throughout the lineup. The Seattle Kraken would be a good fit. Seattle has been searching for consistent secondary scoring, and Moore scored 31 goals as recently as 2023-24. Teams looking for experience and speed in their middle six might consider Moore a suitable addition.

Move On From Ceci

This season, Cody Ceci managed one goal and nine points with a minus-10 rating through the full 82-game schedule. The Kings need a player who can shoot the puck consistently and drive them forward. While Ceci has experience and provides defensive depth, his lack of offensive production limits his overall impact.

As Los Angeles continues to search for ways to become a contender again, they need a defenseman who can contribute at both ends of the ice. Zach Dooley of LAKingsInsider explained, “A big area in which Ceci struggled, by the numbers, was with regards to defending zone entries by the opposition and that came in a few different areas. Ceci’s denial rate on zone entries against was the lowest of all regular Kings defensemen at even strength and he ranked 201st of the 213 defensemen in the NHL to log at least 500 minutes last season in those situations.” Ceci has not consistently helped drive play, making him a potential trade candidate.

Moving his contract could also give the Kings additional flexibility. While Ceci still fills an important role, he shouldn’t be part of the team’s long-term core, and Los Angeles could explore trade options if it believes the move would help upgrade the blue line.

His experience and ability to log significant minutes could make him attractive to teams looking for veteran defensive depth. Any potential deal will be complicated by Ceci’s modified no-trade clause (MNTC), which gives him some control over where he lands. The Columbus Blue Jackets could be interested. He is known for his durability, playing all 82 games last season and could provide stability and mentorship. Los Angeles could explore trade options if it believes the move would help upgrade the blue line.

Turcotte’s Future in Question

Alex Turcotte has been with the Kings since he was drafted by Los Angeles fifth overall in 2019. However, due to injuries and other setbacks, he has yet to establish himself as a consistent contributor at the NHL level. While he provides steady two-way play that suits a bottom-six role, Los Angeles is still lacking players who can consistently produce offense.

At this stage of his NHL career, Turcotte has not shown the ability to generate goals at that level. Could he be a late bloomer? It’s possible. He’s only 25. However, the Kings need immediate scoring impact. Continuing to wait for his breakout campaign is no longer the best use of a roster spot, and it is time to consider moving on. Even with his offensive limitations, Turcotte could still have value on the trade market. His work ethic and age could appeal to rebuilding teams looking for an affordable bottom-six depth.

The Chicago Blackhawks could be interested. As a rebuilding team, Chicago can afford to take a chance on a player drafted fifth overall, who possesses speed and on-ice awareness. A change of scenery may benefit both Turcotte and the Kings if Los Angeles decides it can no longer wait for a breakthrough season.

Where the Kings Go From Here

The Kings need to start adding and selecting players who can truly push the organization forward. Despite a solid pipeline of talented prospects, at the 2026 NHL Draft, management should target players who relentlessly use their speed and skill to create offense and put the puck in the net. The real turnaround will only come when they consistently beat goaltenders and finish chances. Until then, they risk staying stuck in the same ineffective cycle.