An important piece of the Los Angeles Kings’ offensive core may not be leaving Los Angeles anytime soon.
Adrian Kempe, fresh off another standout season in black and silver, made it clear this week that his preference is to remain with the Kings long term. Speaking at the NHL Player Media Tour, the 28-year-old forward acknowledged that formal negotiations on an extension haven’t ramped up yet but said he expects discussions to intensify as the season unfolds.
“I’m in no rush,” Kempe told reporters, signaling both patience and confidence. “I want to be here. That’s always been the goal.”
A Vital Scorer in His Prime
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Kempe enters the final year of the four-year deal he signed in 2022, which carries a $5.5 million cap hit and a modified no-trade clause. Since signing that contract, he’s only elevated his value. Last season, he paced the Kings with 35 goals and 73 points in 81 games, the lone King to eclipse the 70-point mark. In the playoffs, he added 10 more points despite another first-round exit at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers.
The Swedish winger has finished in the top three in team scoring for four consecutive seasons, including a career-best 75 points in 2023–24. With 401 points across 630 career games — all in Los Angeles — Kempe has become one of the most reliable producers in franchise history.
The Cap Puzzle
Kempe isn’t the only high-profile King with contract questions looming. Anze Kopitar, the face of the franchise for nearly two decades, has just one season left on his deal, while Andrei Kuzmenko will also be entering a contract year with a $4.3 million cap hit. Kopitar’s future remains uncertain, with growing speculation this could be his final NHL campaign.
According to PuckPedia, Los Angeles projects to have over $33.7 million in cap space for 2026–27, when the salary cap is expected to climb to $104 million. Even with that flexibility, insiders like David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period have noted a gap between Kempe’s ask — reportedly in the $10 million per year range — and the Kings’ opening offers closer to $9 million.
“…while over [the] summer there seemed to be a financial gap between Kempe and the Los Angeles Kings – and I’m not sure that has closed much, so far,” Pagnotta said.
Why L.A. Can’t Risk Waiting
The Kings’ roster has been retooled this offseason under new team president Ken Holland, particularly on the blue line. But as much as those moves signal an urgency to finally advance past Edmonton in the postseason, Kempe’s extension may be the more pressing matter.
Allowing him to approach free agency in 2026 could be a dangerous gamble. That class is shaping up to be one of the deepest in years, with Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and other superstars potentially hitting the open market. While chasing a name like McDavid might be tempting — and the Kings are inevitably tied to “Hollywood dreams” speculation — losing their best goal scorer in the process would be a devastating blow to their current competitive window.
Kempe has scored at least 35 goals in three of the past four seasons and owns a rare combination of speed, physicality, and finishing ability. With Kopitar nearing retirement and no obvious successor in-house, his importance has only grown.
The Bottom Line
The Kings have been consistent playoff participants but haven’t won a round during Kempe’s tenure. Even so, his 15 career postseason goals in just 28 games prove he can deliver under pressure. Letting him walk — especially in a market that could inflate his value further — would undermine everything Los Angeles has built.
For Ken Holland and the Kings’ front office, the path forward is clear: secure Adrian Kempe now, and keep the heart of their offense in Los Angeles for the long haul.