The Los Angeles Kings’ mid-season trade addition of star winger Artemi Panarin could spell the end of pending UFA Andrei Kuzmenko‘s time in the organization, writes Eric Stephens of The Athletic. Per Stephens, Kuzmenko is “likely not needed” now that the Kings have committed to Panarin. Panarin, 34, scored 27 points in 26 regular-season games after his trade to Los Angeles, and signed a two-year, $11MM AAV contract extension to remain a King through 2027-28.
Kuzmenko, 30, is a pending free agent, and the fact that Panarin has signed an extension could mean Kuzmenko will have to look elsewhere to continue his NHL career. Kuzmenko underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in February but returned in time for the playoffs. He had a stellar run after being acquired by the Kings in a mid-season trade in 2024-25, scoring 17 points in 22 regular-season games and six points in six playoff contests. But he wasn’t able to keep up that momentum in 2025-26, as he managed just 25 points in 52 games. Now, he’s reportedly more likely than not to need to continue his NHL career with another franchise.
Other notes from the Western Conference:
- Vegas Golden Knights forward Mark Stone did not skate in today’s optional practice at Ball Arena in Colorado, reports SinBin Vegas. Stone had skated prior to Vegas’ game one victory over the Avalanche, which was his first time skating with the team since he suffered a lower-body injury in the second round against the Anaheim Ducks. Head coach John Tortorella did not provide an update on Stone’s status, and it is unclear what his timeline to return to the Golden Knights’ lineup is. The 34-year-old is one of Vegas’ best all-around players, and had 28 goals and 73 points in 60 games during the regular season.
- Head coach Jared Bednar did not provide an update on the status of injured star defenseman Cale Makar today, indicating that his status remains questionable for game two of the Western Conference Final. Makar missed game one and his replacement in the lineup, Jack Ahcan, played just 7:34 time on ice. Colorado’s next option to replace Makar in the lineup beyond Ahcan is Nick Blankenburg, who the team acquired from the Nashville Predators shortly before the trade deadline. Blankenburg is a right-shot defenseman who scored 24 points in 61 games this season.
Makar skated at the family sports center today. He looks good but wasn’t taking any hits to his shoulder, so who knows if he’ll play.
The Kings struggled to score. Kopitar retired. The idea that they don’t need a player who could potentially provide offense is ridiculous. They need all the offense they can get. If they don’t want to pay Kuzmenko what they think he wants, fine. Just don’t say he isn’t need because quite frankly, the Kings are offensively challenged