Ward made his NHL debut last season, scoring a goal in one game with the Los Angeles Kings and has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract extension. The undrafted 27-year-old forward spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, tallying 27 points (12G / 15A) in 66 games with the Ontario Reign.
After a successful season in Rockford (AHL), Cole Guttman has earned himself a two-year, $1.55 million contract ($750,000 AAV) with the Los Angeles Kings. The 26-year-old is likely to start the 2025-26 season in Ontario (AHL), where he is likely to continue his minor league success after putting up 23 goals and 57 points in 70 games played with Rockford (AHL) in 2024-25.
With the departure of David Rittich, joining the New York Islanders, the Kings have signed Forsberg to a two-year deal worth $2.25 million AAV to slide into their backup goalie position behind Darcy Kuemper. The 32-year-old Forsberg has been inconsistent in his career but recorded a career-high three shutouts last season in addition to a 2.72 GAA and .901 SV% in 30 appearances (11-12-3).
Dumoulin joins his fifth team in the last three years, signing a three-year deal with the Kings worth $4 million AAV. The veteran 33-year-old defenseman averaged 19:33 time-on-ice, recording 109 blocks, 74 hits, and 22 points (3G / 19A) in 80 games between the Anaheim Ducks and New Jersey Devils last season.
Ceci joins his fourth team in the previous three seasons, signing a four-year contract worth $4.5 million AAV with the Kings. The 31-year-old Ceci joined the Dallas Stars before the trade deadline last season, recording nine points (0G / 9A), 55 blocks, and 24 hits in 31 games.
Pederson is an undrafted 27-year-old forward who last played in the NHL in a 16-game stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2022-23 season. He spent the entirety of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, scoring 12 points (5G/ 7A) in 18 games with the Bakersfield Condors.
Perunovich will join his third organization in two seasons after signing a one-year, two-way minimum deal with Utah on Tuesday. The 26-year-old joined the Islanders midseason in 2024-25 after three seasons with St. Louis and ended his campaign with two goals and nine points in 35 total games played between the two organizations. He will provide depth for Utah's defence this season and is expected to compete for one of the final roster spots in training camp for the upcoming season.
Perry has built a reputation in the latter portion of his career, making the Stanley Cup Finals in five of his previous six seasons, and will join the Los Angeles Kings on a bonus-heavy one-year deal. The 40-year-old Perry scored 30 points (19G / 11A) in 81 games with the Oilers last season and was an integral part in their postseason run, scoring 14 points (10G / 4A) in 22 games. The Kings have not won a playoff series since winning the Stanley Cup in 2014 and will hope that Perry can help them change that trend.
After spending the previous seven seasons in Montreal, Armia has signed a two-year contract worth $2.5 million AAV, sending him to the Los Angeles Kings. Joining Corey Perry as another July 1st acquisition, Armia adds some grit to the Kings' bottom-six forward group. The 31-year-old Armia finished the 2024-25 season with 29 points (11G / 18A) in 81 games while averaging 14:18 time-on-ice.
After three seasons with the Devils, Haula has been traded to Nashville, where he played during the 2021 season. Haula has one more year left on a three-year deal that carries a $3.15M AAV cap-hit. The 34-year-old forward had 11 goals and 10 assists (21 points) in 69 games last season.
Fresh off a seven-game showing with Slovakia at the World Championships, Martin Chromiak has signed a one-year, two-way contract extension with Los Angeles. The 22-year-old winger was Los Angeles' 2020 5th round pick (128th overall) and had 18 goals and 39 points in 69 games with Ontario (AHL) last season.
Kirasanov was Los Angeles's 2021 3rd-round pick (84th overall) and has signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Kings after spending the last five seasons in the KHL. The 22-year-old Russian defenseman is expected to report to Ontario (AHL) for the start of this season. In 2024-25, he had three goals, seven points, and a +5 plus/minus in 34 games played with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL).
Kuemper was sensational on Tuesday in a dominant Game 5 by the Edmonton Oilers but did not receive enough goal support from his teammates, saving 43 of 45 shots (.956 SV%) in the 3-1 loss. The 34-year-old Kuemper has had an up-and-down postseason, posting a 3.44 GAA and .899 SV% in five games (2-3). The Kings trail the Oilers 3-2 and enter a must-win Game 6 on Thursday as +151 road underdogs.
Kuemper was excellent in Game 4, saving 44 of 48 shots (.917 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime loss, but it was the second consecutive game where the Kings gave up a third-period lead, allowing the Edmonton Oilers to tie the series 2-2. The 34-year-old Kuemper has a 3.74 GAA and .881 SV% in four games (2-2) this postseason. The Kings hope to continue their success on home ice, entering a crucial Game 5 as -124 home favorites against the Oilers.
Kuemper was excellent in Game 4, saving 44 of 48 shots (.917 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime loss, but it was the second consecutive game where the Kings gave up a third-period lead, allowing the Edmonton Oilers to tie the series 2-2. The 34-year-old Kuemper has a 3.74 GAA and .881 SV% in four games (2-2) this postseason. The Kings hope to continue their success on home ice, entering a crucial Game 5 as -124 home favorites against the Oilers.
Trevor Lewis will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday in Game 5, allowing Turcotte to re-enter the lineup. The 24-year-old Turcotte has not played since Game 1 when he recorded a -1 plus/minus in 4:13 time-on-ice.
The Kings will look to take a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Edmonton Oilers on Friday, turning to Kuemper between the pipes for a third consecutive outing. The 34-year-old Kuemper was excellent in Game 2 on Wednesday, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%) in a 6-2 victory. He has a 2.77 GAA and .905 SV% in 36 career playoff appearances (19-10). The Kings enter Game 3 on Friday as +126 road underdogs against an Oilers team desperate for their first win in the playoffs.
The Kings will look to take a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Edmonton Oilers on Friday, turning to Kuemper between the pipes for a third consecutive outing. The 34-year-old Kuemper was excellent in Game 2 on Wednesday, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%) in a 6-2 victory. He has a 2.77 GAA and .905 SV% in 36 career playoff appearances (19-10). The Kings enter Game 3 on Friday as +126 road underdogs against an Oilers team desperate for their first win in the playoffs.
Turcotte will take a seat for Game 2 as the Kings are opting to dress seven defencemen on Wednesday. Jacob Moverare will play in his place.
