L.A. Kings’ Slow Start Puts GM Ken Holland To The Test

The Los Angeles Kings have had a disappointing start to the season, winning just five of 15 games while eight of their losses came in regulation.

Only the Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks are lower than the Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference standings, and their schedule will not get easier.

There is now concern that the Kings are in even deeper trouble than it first appeared, and in this writer’s view, it is clearer than ever that general manager Ken Holland must change course and pursue a long-term rebuild.

The move from trying to build a playoff team to pursuing a patient, long-term rebuild is unlikely to sit well with Holland, and that reaction is understandable.

Holland has been one of the most successful general managers of the modern era through his work with the Detroit Red Wings, but his later stints with the Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings have not produced the same results.

After acquiring veterans such as Mats Zucarello, Erik Haula, and bringing back Scott Laughton and Corey Perry, it became clear that Holland’s plan was not working.

The team must begin trading players for draft picks and prospects. That process began in earnest with what THN draft expert Tony Ferrari praised as a strong performance at the 2026 draft, but the Kings have to get younger immediately, even if they take a step back and miss the playoffs this season.

Things have not gone right for Los Angeles for some time. Center Quentin Byfield has not developed into the superstar the team hoped he would become, and sixteen players are 30 or older, with eight players set to become unrestricted agents, including goaltenders Darcy Kuemper and Anton Forsberg.

At a time when there are few seller teams, the Kings could dictate the trade market and begin stockpiling talent for the long run.

Can Quinton Byfield Truly Be The Kings' Long-Term No. 1 Center?
Now that Anze Kopitar has retired, it's time for Quinton Byfield to step into the spotlight as the Los Angeles Kings' top center. But is he ready for the primetime matchups?

The Kings’ streak of five consecutive playoff appearances is looking more likely to end with each passing day.

With five straight first-round exits, there was not exactly a ton to be excited about in that stretch, but the team’s competitive window is rapidly closing. Holland needs to be proactive in limiting the pain of this transition and filling the team’s cupboard with future assets.

Holland values his veterans, but there can be no more stop-gap or quick-fix measures for this Kings team. They have squeezed the life out of their players and are left with a roster that does not intimidate opponents.

Coming to that conclusion can be the most difficult step for a general manager in the rebuilding process, but it is Holland’s responsibility as the leader of the front office to make the tough decisions that will benefit the franchise for the long term.

Source link