Morning Notes: Kempe, Team Russia, Karlsson

The Kings have failed to make much headway in the Western Conference wild-card race since their mixed-bag trade deadline, going 3-2-1. They played their last game, a 4-1 win over the Rangers to wrap up a five-game Eastern road swing, without the services of leading scorer Adrian Kempe. He was out with a lower-body injury and remains listed as day-to-day, although it could end up just being a one-game absence. Interim head coach D.J. Smith said at yesterday’s practice that he’s “hopeful” Kempe can suit up tonight against the Flyers. A win over Philly and a Kraken loss of any kind would get L.A. back into a playoff position. They’re tied with Seattle right now at 71 points, but trail the Kraken significantly, 25-18, in the regulation wins tiebreaker. Kempe’s health is crucial. He’s been on a tear coming out of the Olympic break, currently on an eight-game point streak with a 6-6–12 scoring line in his last 10.

Here’s more to round up from around the hockey world Thursday:

• NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly poured cold water this week on the idea of Team Russia returning to international play at the 2028 World Cup of Hockey. That will be a league-run event without IIHF involvement, but the league has maintained a willingness to demonstrate continuity with the international governing body on the matter. There were unverified reports that other European countries would pull out of the tournament if Russia were to participate, if they continue their ongoing war on Ukraine, a risk the league certainly won’t be willing to take, with half the round-robin games being hosted in Czechia. “I don’t think we’re out of sync with where the Finns and Swedes and Czechs are with respect to Russian participation,” Daly said (via Eric Engels of Sportsnet). “It’ll be available if certain things happen. And if certain things don’t happen, they’re likely not to participate.”
• Penguins defender Erik Karlsson was among the most popular names in trade rumors last season. Even as his contract becomes more movable, the Penguins’ success this season has made the idea of holding on to him for the last year of his deal in 2026-27 more attractive. As the Pens’ PR account pointed out this morning, he’s having arguably the most dominant stretch of his career since his days as a yearly Norris contender in Ottawa. He has nine goals and 12 points in his last six outings and leads NHL defensemen in scoring since the Olympic break with a 5-12–17 line in 13 games.