Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA

Los Angeles Kings News

Los Angeles has acquired Scott Laughton from Toronto for a conditional 3rd round pick.

Laughton was acquired by the Toronto Maple Leafs ahead of the 2024-25 trade deadline and has been flipped before the 2025-26 deadline, heading to the Los Angeles Kings. The 31-year-old Laughton averaged 13:40 time-on-ice and scored 12 points (8G / 4A) in 43 games with the Maple Leafs this season.

Scott Laughton
Los Angeles has signed Mathieu Joseph to a one-year, $900,000 pro-rated contract on Friday.

Joseph was unable to secure a regular role with the St. Louis Blues this season and had his contract terminated earlier this week. He has quickly moved on and signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings. The 29-year-old Joseph averaged 12:41 time-on-ice and had 11 points (2G / 9A) in 39 games with the Blues this season.

Mathieu Joseph
Doughty (lower-body) will play against the Islanders on Thursday.

Doughty was limited to 15:15 time-on-ice in last Thursday's 8-1 blowout loss to the Edmonton Oilers, exiting the game with a lower-body injury, and has been sidelined for two games since. The 36-year-old Doughty is averaging 22:48 time-on-ice and has 14 points (3G / 11A) in 50 games this season.

Drew Doughty
Kuemper will start against the Islanders on Thursday.

Kuemper did not suit up for the Kings' previous game due to illness, but will be be ready for Thursday's game against the New York Islanders. The 35-year-old Kuemper had an awful outing in his return from the Olympic break, allowing four goals on 15 shots (.733 SV%) in an 8-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, picking up on a poor stretch pre-stoppage, when he was riding a 10-game streak with seven losses (2-4-3) along with a dreadful 3.36 GAA and .864 SV%. Kuemper and the Kings enter action on Thursday at -130 on the money line.

Darcy Kuemper
Doughty (lower-body) will be a game-time decision vs. the Islanders on Thursday.

Doughty was limited to 15:15 time-on-ice in last Thursday's 8-1 blowout loss to the Edmonton Oilers, exiting the game with a lower-body injury, and has been sidelined for two games since. The 36-year-old Doughty is averaging 22:48 time-on-ice and has 14 points (3G / 11A) in 50 games this season.

Drew Doughty
Joseph has been placed on waivers for the purposes of contract termination.

Joseph was unable to secure a regular role with the Blues this season and was placed on waivers last week. He has been placed on waivers again with the intention of terminating his contract. The 29-year-old Joseph averaged 12:41 time-on-ice and had 11 points (2G / 9A) in 39 games with the Blues this season.

Mathieu Joseph
Laughton (trade related) will be held out of Toronto's lineup in New Jersey on Wednesday.

With the trade deadline less than 48 hours away, the Maple Leafs are protecting their assets and keeping several players out of the lineup on Wednesday, including Scott Laughton. The Maple Leafs acquired Laughton at the deadline last season, but he could be on the move again. The 31-year-old forward is averaging 13:40 time-on-ice and has 12 points (8G / 4A) in 43 games this season.

Scott Laughton
Byfield (illness) will remain out vs. New York on Thursday.

Byfield was a surprise scratch on Monday, with the Kings not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Despite the two-day break between games, Byfield will remain out of the lineup for a second consecutive game on Thursday against the New York Islanders. The 23-year-old Byfield has been held off the scoresheet in eight of his last 12 games.

Quinton Byfield
Doughty (lower-body) is expected to play vs. New York on Thursday.

Doughty was limited to 15:15 time-on-ice in last Thursday's 8-1 blowout loss to the Edmonton Oilers, exiting the game with a lower-body injury, and has been sidelined for two games since. The 36-year-old Doughty is averaging 22:48 time-on-ice and has 14 points (3G / 11A) in 50 games this season.

Drew Doughty
Moore (illness) is expected to return vs. New York on Thursday.

Moore did not play in the Kings' previous game due to an illness, but was back at practice on Wednesday and should be ready for Thursday's game against the New York Islanders. The 30-year-old Moore tallied an assist in his most recent outing, but has had a down season offensively, with only 16 points (7G / 9A) through 47 games (0.34 PTS/GP). Coming into the 2025-26 season, Moore had 174 points (76G / 98A) in 293 games over the last three seasons (0.59 PTS/GP).

Trevor Moore
Moore (illness) returned to Los Angeles' practice on Wednesday.

Moore did not play in the Kings' previous game due to an illness, but was back at practice on Wednesday and should be ready for Thursday's game against the New York Islanders. The 30-year-old Moore tallied an assist in his most recent outing, but has had a down season offensively, with only 16 points (7G / 9A) through 47 games (0.34 PTS/GP). Coming into the 2025-26 season, Moore had 174 points (76G / 98A) in 293 games over the last three seasons (0.59 PTS/GP).

Trevor Moore
Kuemper (illness) returned to Los Angeles' practice on Wednesday.

Kuemper did not suit up for the Kings' previous game due to illness, but was back at practice on Wednesday, suggesting he should be ready for Thursday's game against the New York Islanders. The 35-year-old Kuemper had an awful outing in his return from the Olympic break, allowing four goals on 15 shots (.733 SV%) in an 8-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, picking up on a poor stretch pre-stoppage, when he was riding a 10-game streak with seven losses (2-4-3) along with a dreadful 3.36 GAA and .864 SV%.

Darcy Kuemper
Wright has been reassigned to Ontario (AHL).

Wright was a sixth-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings that made his professional debut with the Ontario Reign (AHL) last season after spending three years playing with the University of Denver. He has 28 points (15G / 13A) in 53 games with Ontario this season. He made his NHL debut for the Kings on Monday, but will return to the AHL.

Jared Wright
Portillo has been reassigned to Ontario (AHL).

With Darcy Kuemper (illness) out on Monday, Los Angeles has recalled Portillo from Ontario (AHL) to serve as Anton Forsberg's backup. The 25-year-old Portillo has a 2.47 GAA and .905 SV% in 20 games (14-3-1) with Ontario this season, but he has been reassigned to the AHL, indicating that Kuemper is ready to return.

Erik Portillo
Booth has been reassigned to Ontario (AHL).

Booth made his NHL debut in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche and scored a goal, but will return to the Ontario Reign in the AHL. The 21-year-old defenseman was selected in the 4th round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He has one goal and nine assists in 43 AHL games this season.

Angus Booth
Forsberg will start against the Avalanche on Monday.

With Darcy Kuemper (illness) unavailable, the Kings will turn to Forsberg on Monday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 33-year-old Forsberg is coming off one of his best performances of the season, saving all 29 shots he faced for his second shutout in a 2-0 win over the Calgary Flames. That said, he was unsuccessful in a meeting against Colorado earlier this season, allowing four goals on 25 shots (.840 SV%) in a 5-2 loss. The Kings enter Monday's action as +150 home underdogs.

Anton Forsberg
Booth will make his NHL debut against the Avalanche on Monday.

Remarkably, Booth is one of three Kings making their NHL debuts in Monday night's game, along with Kenny Connors and Jared Wright. The 21-year-old defenceman was selected in the 4th round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He has one goal and nine assists in 43 AHL games this season.

Angus Booth
Wright will make his NHL debut against the Avalanche on Monday.

Remarkably, Wright is one of three Kings making their NHL debuts in Monday night's game, along with Kenny Connors and Angus Booth. Wright was a sixth-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings that made his professional debut with the Ontario Reign (AHL) last season after spending three years playing with the University of Denver. He has 28 points (15G / 13A) in 53 games with Ontario this season.

Jared Wright