The Los Angeles Kings have undergone a significant roster shakeup over the past two seasons, and as the team continues to evolve, fans are left wondering: which departures have hurt the most? While stars like Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Kevin Fiala, Adrian Kempe, and Mikey Anderson remain the backbone of the franchise, several key players have moved on via trade or free agency. Let's take a closer look at the biggest names who have left and how the Kings have fared without them.
The most headline-grabbing move of the 2025-26 season was undoubtedly the Artemi Panarin deal, but it wasn't the only one that reshaped the roster. In December, the Kings made the difficult decision to trade veteran center Phillip Danault back to the Montreal Canadiens—the team where he spent six seasons from 2015-16 to 2020-21. In return, Los Angeles received a 2026 second-round pick. Danault, known for his defensive reliability, played 30 games with the Kings before the trade, recording five assists and five points. He had reportedly requested a move, and the Kings obliged. Since returning to Montreal, Danault has appeared in 45 regular-season games, tallying six goals and 12 points, and has added two assists in nine playoff games as the Canadiens push through the second round.
The Kings didn't stop there. On trade deadline day, they made two more moves that sent shockwaves through the fanbase. First, they traded winger Warren Foegele to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick and a conditional 2026 third-round pick. Foegele had been a solid contributor in Los Angeles, scoring seven goals and nine points in 47 games. After the trade, he found his stride in Ottawa, notching six goals and eight points in 21 regular-season games, though he was held scoreless in four playoff appearances with the Senators.
Finally, the Kings sent veteran forward Corey Perry to the Tampa Bay Lightning at the deadline, netting a 2028 second-round pick. Perry, a seasoned playoff warrior, had been a reliable presence in Los Angeles, scoring 11 goals in 50 games before the move. His departure marked the end of an era for a player known for his grit and leadership.
As the Kings look ahead, these moves have freed up cap space and brought in valuable draft capital, but they've also left a void in the lineup. For fans sporting Kings gear from our collection, the question remains: will these changes lead to a brighter future, or will the team miss the steady hands of players like Danault, Foegele, and Perry? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—the Kings are betting big on their young core and the draft picks to come.