The Laviolette Effect: How the LA Kings Are Navigating a Franchise-Altering Offseason
The Los Angeles Kings have officially entered a new chapter. With the hiring of Peter Laviolette as the 32nd head coach in franchise history, General Manager Ken Holland has signaled a clear departure from the conservative, defense-first identity that has defined the team for the better part of a decade. Laviolette, a proven winner with a Stanley Cup ring and three Finals appearances on his resume, brings an aggressive, “attack mode” philosophy to Southern California. But hiring a new coach is only the first step in what promises to be a complex and franchise-altering offseason.
As the Kings prepare for the 2026-27 campaign, the front office faces a series of critical decisions that will shape the team’s trajectory for years to come. From navigating the delicate contract situation of franchise icon Drew Doughty to addressing a glaring need for top-six center depth, and preparing for a pivotal selection at the 17th overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, the stakes have never been higher in El Segundo.
The Doughty Dilemma: Loyalty vs. Cap Flexibility
Perhaps the most pressing issue on Ken Holland’s desk is the future of Drew Doughty. The 36-year-old defenseman, a cornerstone of the Kings’ two Stanley Cup championships, is entering the final year of his contract, which carries a hefty $11 million salary cap hit. Doughty has made his intentions clear: he wants to finish his career in Los Angeles and he wants to wear the captain’s “C” following the retirement of Anze Kopitar.
“I want to stay in LA for the rest of my career until I retire,” Doughty stated during his exit interviews in April. “It would mean the world to me to be captain.”
However, the business of hockey often complicates matters of loyalty. At $11 million, Doughty’s contract is the single largest lever Holland can pull to create the salary cap space necessary to retool the roster for Laviolette’s system. The Kings are currently facing a significant cap crunch, and finding room to acquire a high-end center will require creative financial maneuvering.
The organization faces two primary paths regarding Doughty. The first is to sign him to a short-term extension at a significantly reduced cap hit. This would allow Doughty to finish his career as a King, preserve veteran leadership during a transitional period, and free up future cap space. However, it would also require an understanding that his minutes will likely be reduced under Laviolette’s high-paced system.
The second, more drastic path involves trading Doughty. While moving a franchise legend is never easy, trading him (likely with some salary retained) would provide immediate cap relief and potentially yield NHL-ready assets or draft capital. This move would accelerate the roster retooling process but would also represent a massive cultural shift within the locker room. How Holland navigates this delicate situation will be the defining storyline of the summer.
The Search for Center Depth
Regardless of how the Doughty situation unfolds, the Kings have an undeniable need down the middle. With Anze Kopitar’s departure, the team lacks the top-six center depth required to compete in the grueling Pacific Division. Laviolette’s “attack mode” system demands centers who can drive possession, play with pace, and contribute at both ends of the ice.
Quinton Byfield has established himself as a foundational piece, but he cannot carry the load alone. The Kings need a legitimate 1C or 2C to anchor the top six. According to recent trade rumors, Holland is prioritizing a veteran center via trade rather than taking a risk on a high-priced free agent.
Names like Vincent Trocheck have surfaced in speculation. A player of Trocheck’s caliber—a proven second-line center who excels in the faceoff circle and plays a heavy, two-way game—would perfectly align with Laviolette’s demands. However, acquiring such a player will not be cheap. The Kings may need to part with a first-round pick, a top prospect, or leverage the cap space created by a potential Doughty move to facilitate a blockbuster trade.
Internally, the Kings might look to veteran Scott Laughlin as a depth option, but he is not the long-term solution for the top six. The pressure is on Holland to find a creative way to acquire a difference-maker down the middle without mortgaging the team’s entire future.
The 17th Overall Pick: A Swing for the Fences?
As the Kings look to bolster their prospect pool, all eyes are on the 2026 NHL Draft, where Los Angeles holds the 17th overall selection. This pick presents a fascinating opportunity for the organization. Do they draft for immediate need, select the best player available, or use the pick as trade bait to acquire established NHL talent?
If the Kings choose to keep the pick, one name that has been heavily linked to Los Angeles is Maddox Dagenais. The 6-foot-4, 198-pound center from the QMJHL’s Québec Remparts fits the Kings’ historical preference for size and physicality, but he also possesses the offensive upside that Laviolette’s system requires.
Dagenais had a standout 2025-26 season, posting 62 points (30 goals, 32 assists) in 62 games. Scouts have praised his powerful release, his ability to play a heavy game in the middle of the ice, and his improved playmaking skills.
“With increased pace came increased opportunities, and Dagenais leveraged those opportunities to further highlight the extent of his puck skills,” noted Elite Prospects. “At the top of his toolbag lies a tremendous release. Powerful upper-body torque and an adjustable wheelhouse keep Dagenais threatening off the pass.”
Jason Bukala of Sportsnet highlighted Dagenais’s value in the modern NHL: “Forwards with Dagenais’ profile are extremely valuable… Dagenais provides a power-style in the middle of the ice and the ability to move to the wing if required. He’s a hard out along the boards and in front of the net.”
Selecting Dagenais would be a “swing for the fences” move for the Kings. While he may need time to develop, his combination of size, shooting ability, and hockey sense makes him an intriguing prospect who could eventually thrive under Laviolette’s aggressive offensive philosophy.
The Rise of Brandt Clarke
While the Kings search for external solutions, they also have internal assets ready to take the next step. Chief among them is defenseman Brandt Clarke. The 23-year-old blueliner is poised for a breakout season and is expected to assume a top-four role and significant power-play minutes.
Clarke’s offensive instincts and puck-moving ability make him an ideal fit for Laviolette’s system, which encourages defensemen to activate and join the rush. His emergence could ease the burden on the right side of the defense and potentially make a veteran like Doughty more expendable if the Kings choose to go that route.
The Kings need Clarke to transition from a promising prospect into a reliable, minutes-eating NHL defenseman. If he can handle the increased responsibility, it will drastically alter the complexion of the Kings’ blue line and provide the offensive spark from the back end that the team has been missing.
A Summer of Transformation
The hiring of Peter Laviolette was a bold statement of intent. The Los Angeles Kings are no longer satisfied with simply making the playoffs; they are determined to build a roster capable of contending for a Stanley Cup. But achieving that goal will require Ken Holland to make difficult, franchise-altering decisions over the next few months.
The resolution of the Drew Doughty contract situation, the acquisition of a top-six center, and the strategic use of the 17th overall pick will define this offseason. The Kings are shifting into “attack mode,” both on the ice and in the front office. The foundation is being laid for a new era of Kings hockey, and the decisions made this summer will determine just how quickly this team can return to championship contention.
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