April 23, 2025, Los Angeles, California, USA: EVAN BOUCHARD of the NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA s Edmonton Oilers skates with the puck during a game against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California on April 23, 2025. Los Angeles USA - ZUMAc239 20250423_zsp_c239_004 Copyright: xAlexxCavex
April 23, 2025, Los Angeles, California, USA: EVAN BOUCHARD of the NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA s Edmonton Oilers skates with the puck during a game against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California on April 23, 2025. Los Angeles USA - ZUMAc239 20250423_zsp_c239_004 Copyright: xAlexxCavex
Elliotte Friedman says the Los Angeles Kings still want to add a defenseman this offseason, but tight cap space is holding them back.
General manager Ken Holland still has two real priorities this summer. Holland's two priorities are replacing Anze Kopitar at centre long-term, but the blue line is the more urgent need.
"I think they would still add a puck mover on the back end if they could, but I think it's basically dollar in dollar out for them, so I think that's part of the issue," Elliotte Friedman said.
Friedman shared the update on the July 6 episode of 32 Thoughts on Sportsnet. He talked about what may be the Kings' last major need before training camp opens.
December 13, 2025, Los Angeles, California, United States: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 13: Right wing Adrian Kempe 9 of the Los Angeles Kings handles the puck during a game between the Calgary Flames and Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena on December 13, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles United States - ZUMAt139 20251213_aaa_t139_033 Copyright: xJordanxTeller/IsixPhotosx
December 13, 2025, Los Angeles, California, United States: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 13: Right wing Adrian Kempe 9 of the Los Angeles Kings handles the puck during a game between the Calgary Flames and Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena on December 13, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles United States - ZUMAt139 20251213_aaa_t139_033 Copyright: xJordanxTeller/IsixPhotosx
By "dollar in dollar out" he meant any new contract the Kings take would require moving out a similar amount of salary first. After the free agency period, the Kings have around $2 million in cap space left.
Brandt Clarke will shoulder much of the blue-line load. He signed a five-year extension this summer and has become an important piece on defense. But him alone carrying the entire load is still unrealistic.
Another name tied to the Kings in a recent situation is Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin. The blueliner would fit well next to Clarke when paired together, but acquiring him will definitely not be cheap.
Adding a puck-moving defenseman would help with their offense that is at the bottom of the league. Identifying the problem up to now is the easy part, but freeing up the cap space to actually make a move is the bigger challenge.
How the Kings' cap crunch began
The Kings' tight cap situation is not something that is noticed now, but has existed for a while. Anze Kopitar's retirement freed up salary, but that space was quickly put towards Adrian Kempe and the addition of Artemi Panarin's contract.
As discussed in Mayor's Maner, Holland has several other problems to deal with, including a new deal for Clarke and adding help at centre. By solving all these issues, it narrowed the room left to add more additions on defence.
Entering this offseason, the Kings carried three NHL-caliber goaltenders in Darcy Kuemper, Anton Forsberg and Erik Portillo. Kuemper was a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2025, so he still carries enough value to make the trade.
Moving one of the three goaltenders or a forward from a deep bottom-six group could offer Holland the extra space the team needs.
But building that cap flexibility will take time before the Kings can address the blue-line need.
What do you think the Kings should prioritize this offseason? Let us know in the comments below.
Read more at NHL Fan Central.
Written by
Aadhya Nalla
Edited by
Soheli Tarafdar