In a major shift, the LA Kings have parted ways with their General Manager Rob Blake, as confirmed via a mutual decision following an exit interview today. Injuries to key players Drew Doughty and Tanner Jeannot have been addressed, with Doughty looking at a month of rehab and Jeannot aiming to be ready for next season after missing the playoffs. Pending free agents such as Vladislav Gavrikov and Andrei Kuzmenko expressed openness to re-signing with the Kings, while Trevor Lewis plans to continue his career. Meanwhile, players echoed feelings of disappointment, with Phillip Danault and Drew Doughty highlighting that this season’s team was the best they’ve had in years, making their early playoff exit sting even more.

Kings Offseason in Full Swing: Injuries, Free Agents, and Playoff Reflections

Injury Updates: Recovery Timeline and Summer Plans

The Los Angeles Kings have wrapped up their 2025 campaign, and now the focus shifts to healing and preparing for next season. Here’s the latest on key injuries and summer plans:

Drew Doughty: Ankle Rehab and Intensive Summer Training

Defenseman Drew Doughty is targeting a month of rehabilitation to recover from an ankle injury, followed by an intensive summer training regimen. The 35-year-old veteran is determined to get back to full strength and/maintain his leadership role heading into next season.

Tanner Jeannot: Groin Injury and Future Outlook

Forward Tanner Jeannot missed the final 11 games of the regular season and the entire first-round series against the Edmonton Oilers due to a groin injury. Although he felt close to returning, the timeline wasn’t quite enough. Jeannot plans to take the summer to heal and prepare for a strong comeback in 2025-26.

Pending Free Agents: Kings’ Offseason Decisions

The Kings have four pending unrestricted free agents to manage this offseason. Here’s what they had to say about their future:

Vladislav Gavrikov: Extension Talks on Hold

One of the Kings’ most significant free-agent decisions involves defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. Although general manager Rob Blake expressed optimism about an extension earlier in the season, those talks are now on hold following his departure. Gavrikov remains open to discussing a new contract but sees no rush to finalize it.

Andrei Kuzmenko: Future Unknown, but Likes his time in LA

Winger Andrei Kuzmenko had a standout season with the Kings but still finds himself in a similar situation to Gavrikov—his future is uncertain. Kuzmenko enjoyed his time in LA but acknowledges that his future depends on the business aspects of hockey.

Tanner Jeannot and Trevor Lewis: Uncertainty and Options

Forward Tanner Jeannot, like Kuzmenko, is unsure about his future but is open to discussing his options. Meanwhile, veteran forward Trevor Lewis is leaning towards continuing his playing career but hasn’t ruled out retiring or exploring opportunities elsewhere.

Key Contract Discussions: Kopitar, Kempe, and More

Beyond free agency, the Kings have several contract situations to address:

Anze Kopitar: One Year at a Time

Longtime captain Anze Kopitar is locked in for next season but remains uncertain about his future beyond that. He’s open to discussing an extension but wants to take things one year at a time, leaving the door slightly ajar for retirement or a new contract.

Alex Laferriere and Adrian Kempe: Extension Hopes

Restricted free agent Alex Laferriere and extension-eligible Adrian Kempe both expressed their desire to remain with the Kings long-term. Laferriere is open to various contract durations, while Kempe is eager to extend his stay in LA.

Postseason Reflection: Lessons Learned from a Promising Season

The Kings’ early playoff exit has left players and coaches alike reflecting on what went wrong and what needs to improve. Here are some key takeaways:

The Best Team on Paper, But Not on the Ice

Several players, including Mikey Anderson, Phillip Danault, Drew Doughty, and Trevor Moore, dubbed the 2024-25 squad the best Kings team they’ve been a part of. However, they couldn’t translate that talent into playoff success, with Game 6 against Edmonton acting as their season-ending moment.

Games 3 and 4: Where the Series Turned

The Kings struggled to recover from overtime in Game 4 and emotional, physical fatigue from Games 3 and 4, which ultimately impacted their performance in Game 5. Defenseman Joel Edmundson and forward Phillip Danault pointed to these factors as significant contributors to the series loss.

Quinton Byfield’s(regret and Jordan Spence’s Role Reduction

Forward Quinton Byfield regrets a pivotal play in Game 4 that could have iced the game. Meanwhile, defenseman Jordan Spence saw his role reduced significantly in the playoffs and expressed a desire for a bigger role next season, while also hoping to remain in Los Angeles.

Did You Know?

verletzt sich in der Regular Season, verpasst jedoch entscheidente Playoffspiele. Killing a play in Game 4 could have changed the course of the series.

Pro Tip: preseason injuries can significantly impact a team’s playoff chances. Keeping players healthy should be a top priority for any championship-contending team.

FAQ

What injuries did the Kings suffer in the playoffs? Drew Doughty and Tanner Jeannot were among the key players who missed significant time due to injuries.
Which Kings players are set to become free agents this offseason? Vladislav Gavrikov, Andrei Kuzmenko, Tanner Jeannot, and Trevor Lewis are among the pending unrestricted free agents.
What lies ahead for Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe? Kopitar is locked in for next season but uncertain beyond that, while Kempe is extension-eligible and eager to remain with the Kings.

2025 Exit Interviews: Injury Updates, Contract Notes, Players’ Take on Edmonton Loss