Kings face key questions entering 2026-27 NHL season amid Kopitar's retirement
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 17, 2026, 2:28 AM
Last updated Sep 17, 2026
The Los Angeles Kings begin the 2026-27 NHL season following Anze Kopitar's retirement. Kopitar, who led the Kings to their first Stanley Cup, leaves a significant void in leadership. The Kings look to new veterans like Mats Zuccarello and Corey Perry while evaluating Quinton Byfield as a potential successor at center. With an aging roster, the Kings aim to contend for the playoffs despite the challenges ahead.
- •Anze Kopitar retires, leaving a leadership gap for the Kings.
- •Veterans Mats Zuccarello and Corey Perry join the roster.
- •Quinton Byfield is expected to step up as a top center.
- •Kings have the oldest roster in the NHL with an average age of 30.
- •Team aims for a deep playoff run despite aging players.
- 2:28 AMYahoo Sports — Kings news: LA announces new captain after Anze Kopitar's retirement
- 5:09 AMYahoo Sports — 3 burning Kings questions entering 2026-27 NHL season
"The Los Angeles Kings are without Anze Kopitar for the first time since his NHL debut in 2006-07. 20 years of reliable leadership and production are no more, with Kopitar having retired after the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, Los Angeles has named a new captain, and the honor goes to a longtime teammate of the former captain. The Kings have […] The post Kings news: LA announces new captain after Anze Kopitar's retirement appeared first on ClutchPoints.
"The Los Angeles Kings are entering a completely new era for their franchise. Anze Kopitar has retired from the game of hockey after spending his entire playing career in Los Angeles. He is the only captain in franchise history to lead the Kings to the Stanley Cup. Now, Los Angeles has to find its next superstar. Kopitar is a future Hall of Famer, […] The post 3 burning Kings questions entering 2026-27 NHL season appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 17, 2026, 2:28 AMKings news: LA announces new captain after Anze Kopitar's retirement
The Los Angeles Kings are without Anze Kopitar for the first time since his NHL debut in 2006-07. 20 years of reliable leadership and production are no more, with Kopitar having retired after the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, Los Angeles has named a new captain, and the honor goes to a longtime teammate of the former captain. The Kings have […] The post Kings news: LA announces new captain after Anze Kopitar's retirement appeared first on ClutchPoints.
- Yahoo SportsSep 15, 2026, 5:09 AM3 burning Kings questions entering 2026-27 NHL season
The Los Angeles Kings are entering a completely new era for their franchise. Anze Kopitar has retired from the game of hockey after spending his entire playing career in Los Angeles. He is the only captain in franchise history to lead the Kings to the Stanley Cup. Now, Los Angeles has to find its next superstar. Kopitar is a future Hall of Famer, […] The post 3 burning Kings questions entering 2026-27 NHL season appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
NHL•Nov 10, 2026, 6:28 AMIvar Stenberg leads the Sharks past the Islanders 3-2 in a shootout to stop their 5-game skid- NHL•Nov 9, 2026, 9:11 AMPredators take win streak into matchup with the Kings
NHL•Nov 9, 2026, 5:58 AMGauthier scores 2nd straight hat trick in Ducks’ 5-4 win over Canucks
NHL•Nov 8, 2026, 8:39 PMLos Angeles Kings vs Nashville Predators- NHL•Nov 8, 2026, 8:47 AMFormer Kings Forward Plays Hero in Capitals' Electrifying Victory
NHL•Nov 8, 2026, 6:11 AMUgly start buries Kings in loss against Penguins
