Kings Notes: Doughty, Kempe, Clarke, Kuemper, Edmundson

The Los Angeles Kings’ season came to an abrupt and disappointing end this week following a four-game sweep at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche. As players gathered for exit interviews, the focus shifted from a frustrating postseason to an offseason filled with contract questions and health updates.

Veteran defenseman Drew Doughty is entering the final year of his contract. While he remains the face of the Kings’ blueline, he admitted that discussions regarding an extension have not yet begun. Despite recording 23 points in 72 games, Doughty was candid about his own performance, stating it “wasn’t as good as it needed to be.” However, his desire to remain a “King for Life” hasn’t wavered. “I want to stay here,” Doughty said. “If they approach me to get something done, I’m going to get it done.”

Additional Notes:

• Forward Adrian Kempe shed light on the lower-body injury that hampered him in late March, revealing it was a foot injury that impacted his play for about five or six games. While it bothered him during the regular-season stretch, Kempe insisted it “didn’t really affect” him by the time the playoffs began.
• Defenseman Brandt Clarke is a pending restricted free agent. Clarke, who emerged as a reliable top-four option with 31 points in 82 games this season, confirmed that while talks occurred during the year, both sides tabled them to focus on the playoff push. “I love Los Angeles. I love my teammates,” Clarke noted. “I want to lock myself in and be part of this core.”
• Goaltender Darcy Kuemper is coming off a heavy workload, appearing in 50 games this season with a 2.78 GAA and .891 SV%. When asked about representing Team Canada at the upcoming World Championships, Kuemper remained non-committal, stating he is currently uncertain about attending.  
• Despite the sweep, veteran defenseman Joel Edmundson—who is in the middle of a four-year deal—emphasized that the locker room remains tight-knit. “I love this team,” Edmundson said. “We all love each other and care for each other… that’s going to pay off in the long run. It gets us excited for the next couple years.” With several key pieces nearing free agency and a core that struggled to find its footing against Colorado, the Kings’ front office now faces a pivotal summer to ensure that the “next couple years” Edmundson referenced lead to a deeper playoff run.