Kings' Offseason Begins with Key Takeaways

The Los Angeles Kings are diving into the offseason following their exit interviews, shedding light on injuries, contract statuses, and future expectations.

Injury Updates: Doughty and Jeannot Speak Out

Defenseman Drew Doughty reported he has about a month of rehab ahead to fully recover from his ankle injury. He expressed his determination to return to peak fitness, stating, "It’s going to start with just getting my ankle back to 100 percent," emphasizing the work needed on his physiotherapy routine.

Forward Tanner Jeannot, sidelined with a groin injury, missed crucial games this season, including the playoffs. He expressed optimism about returning for the next season despite his previous setback, noting, "I was doing everything I could to get back... just take the time in the offseason to get healthy."

Pending Contracts: Unraveling Free Agency Talks

The discussion surrounding pending unrestricted free agents is heating up, especially for standout defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. Despite the uncertainty, Gavrikov remains calm about negotiations, asserting that there's no rush: "I let the Kings know I have no rush with that question, so we can wait until whenever."

Fellow UFAs, Andrei Kuzmenko and Tanner Jeannot, echoed similar sentiments, focusing on their on-ice performance while acknowledging the business aspect of hockey. With Jeannot primarily concentrating on recovery, while Kuzmenko enjoyed his stint with the Kings but acknowledged his future remains in limbo.

Trevor Lewis: Still in the Game

At 38, Trevor Lewis isn’t ready to hang up his skates just yet. Confirming his intent to continue playing, he stated, "No, I don’t think so. I still feel good, so we’ll see what’s out there." Lewis recently marked his 1,000th game—a significant milestone in any player's career.

The Future of Key Players

Anze Kopitar confirmed his return for the upcoming season but hinted at contemplating his future beyond that, with whispers of a possible retirement tour. Meanwhile, restricted free agent Alex Laferriere expressed a desire to remain with the Kings but is navigating the complexities of his first contract negotiation.

Adrian Kempe is also eyeing an extension eligibility starting July 1. His commitment to the Kings is unwavering, as he stated, "I want to take the next step with this organization."

Playoff Regrets Still Linger

After their recent playoff exit, many players, including Doughty and Kopitar, shared their disappointment regarding missed opportunities. Doughty expressed that this year’s team felt like the best in a long time, lamenting, "This one hurt big time…everyone bought into what we were supposed to do."

The players felt the physical and emotional toll of the series, particularly from pivotal Games 3 and 4, which many believe shifted the momentum unfavorably for the Kings.

Looking Ahead to the Summer

Overall, the Kings are embracing the offseason with a focus on recovery, negotiations, and preparing for a fresh start. With many questions still looming over player contracts and team dynamics, fans will surely be keeping a close eye on developments in the coming weeks.