Los Angeles Kings News

Panarin has not played since January 26th, being held out of the lineup with the New York Rangers, who tried to facilitate a trade for the impending UFA, which came to fruition on Wednesday in a deal that will see him sent to the Los Angeles Kings. The 34-year-old Panarin had a poor start to the 2025-26 season, with just seven points (2G / 5A) in his first 14 games, but has since returned to his elite form and proven he is still one of the top offensive players in the NHL, scoring 50 points (17G / 33A) in his last 38 games. The trade to Los Angeles was quickly accompanied by a two-year, $11 million contract extension.

Panarin has not played since January 26th, being held out of the lineup with the New York Rangers, who tried to facilitate a trade for the impending UFA, which came to fruition on Wednesday in a deal that will see him sent to the Los Angeles Kings. The 34-year-old Panarin had a poor start to the 2025-26 season, with just seven points (2G / 5A) in his first 14 games, but has since returned to his elite form and proven he is still one of the top offensive players in the NHL, scoring 50 points (17G / 33A) in his last 38 games. The trade to Los Angeles was quickly accompanied by a two-year, $11 million contract extension.

Mikey Anderson (upper body) will not play on Wednesday, allowing Moverare to re-enter the lineup against the Seattle Kraken. The 27-year-old Moverare is averaging 8:26 time-on-ice and has zero points in 12 games this season.

Anderson suffered an upper-body injury early in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes and exited the game after only 2:50 time-on-ice. His injury does not seem to pose a long-term threat, but he will not play on Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken. Jacob Moverare will draw into the lineup as Anderson's replacement.

Anderson suffered an upper-body injury early in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes and exited the game after only 2:50 time-on-ice. It's unclear whether he will be able to play in one of the team's final two games before the Olympic Break, but he is day-to-day, and his injury does not seem to pose a long-term threat.

Hickets has five assists in 22 career NHL games, but has played exclusively in the AHL since the 2020-21 season. The undrafted 29-year-old defenseman has 14 points (3G / 11A) in 41 games with the Ontario Reign (AHL) this season.

Connors was a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and has yet to make his NHL debut. The 22-year-old forward is in his first professional season, tallying 24 points (9G / 15A) in 41 games with the Ontario Reign (AHL).

Joseph has been sidelined for the Blues' previous two games, but will return to the lineup on Monday against the Nashville Predators. The 28-year-old Joseph is averaging 12:46 time-on-ice and has 11 points (2G / 9A) in 38 games this season.

After a 3-2 overtime win over the Philadelphia Flyers yesterday, the Kings will revert to Anton Forsberg to tend the twine against the Carolina Hurricanes at the tail end of their back-to-back. The 33-year-old Forsberg has been tremendous in a supporting role with the Kings this season. He started the 2025-26 campaign with a less-than-stellar 3.55 GAA and .878 SV% in his first five games (2-2-1), but has been tremendous since, posting a 2.09 GAA and .923 SV% in 15 outings (7-5-3). The Kings enter Sunday’s contest as +151 road underdogs against a Hurricanes team with points in seven straight games (6-0-1).

Joseph will take a seat on Thursday to make way for return of Oskar Sundqvist (ankle). Joseph has two goals and nine assists in 38 games this season.

Kuemper allowed four goals on 29 shots (.862 SV%) in his previous outing but salvaged a 5-4 shootout win over the St. Louis Blues. The 35-year-old Kuemper is amid his worst stretch of the season, posting a 3.46 GAA and .866 SV% in his last 10 games (4-3-3). The Kings enter the action on Thursday as slight +109 road underdogs against a Buffalo Sabres team that is among the hottest in the NHL, going 9-2-1 in their past 12 games.

Kuemper allowed four goals on 29 shots (.862 SV%) in his previous outing but salvaged a 5-4 shootout win over the St. Louis Blues. The 35-year-old Kuemper is amid his worst stretch of the season, posting a 3.46 GAA and .866 SV% in his last 10 games (4-3-3). The Kings enter the action on Thursday as slight +109 road underdogs against a Buffalo Sabres team that is among the hottest in the NHL, going 9-2-1 in their past 12 games.

Turcotte did not play on Tuesday, and will miss at least three more games. The 24-year-old Turcotte is averaging 10:57 time-on-ice and has 12 points (3G / 9A) in 49 games this season.

Panarin has long been rumoured to be one of the biggest trade chips on the market ahead of this season's trade deadline, and this latest report suggests a deal could happen sooner rather than later. Panarin is on the final year of a seven-year contract with an AAV of $11.6M that includes a full no movement clause, so no trade can be made without his approval. Regardless, it's an unfortunate development for fantasy owners as, barring a trade within the next week, we won't see Panarin back on the ice until late February at the earliest.

Edmundson did not practice on Monday and it was unclear if he would be ready to play when the Kings return to action on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 32-year-old Edmundson has 16 points (2G / 14A) in 50 games this season.

Forsberg was tremendous in his previous outing, replacing an injured Darcy Kuemper (upper body), saving 27 of 28 shots (.964 SV%) in a 4-3 win over the New York Rangers. Kuemper has returned from injury, but Forsberg will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 33-year-old Forsberg has been excellent in recent weeks, posting a 2.12 GAA and .926 SV% in his last eight games (4-3-1). The Kings enter Tuesday's contest as +104 road underdogs against a Red Wings team with points in five straight games (4-0-1).