Anze Kopitar will retire after this season, chasing one last deep run with the Kings while savoring every moment as captain in his 20th year. He wants his kids to experience the Cup moment and hopes a final title isn’t just a dream. Robitaille, already Hall of Famer and Kings president, reflects on a career capped by loyalty and leadership. The franchise stands at a crossroads after a strong season and a reshaped front office, with offseason signings and a search for a sustainable next chapter.

Meanwhile, the Kings’ legacy figures—Rob Blake and Ken Holland—navigate a post-cup core, while new pieces like Kuzmenko, Perry, Armia, and Dumoulin join, aiming to keep the playoff flame alive. The club faces voids beyond Kopitar, with the hockey landscape shifting in a league-wide context, setting the stage for emotional farewells, mentorship moments, and a high-stakes chase for another championship glow for a family of fans.

In Kopitar’s wake, the Kings seek continuity from a veteran-laden nucleus (Doughty, Fiala, Kempe, Byfield) while integrating fresh talent and preserving a competitive edge. The narrative blends a farewell tour with a roster-building puzzle, as a storied franchise hopes to convert meaningful nostalgia into new triumphs and a fresh sense of identity.

Kopitar will retire after this season, closing a 20-year Kings chapter as a captain noted for defense and playmaking. He sits atop LA’s games played and assists while remaining 29 points shy of Marcel Dionne’s franchise mark, eyeing a final Cup chase in 2025-26. LA responded with veteran depth this summer to push for a title, signaling a push for June hockey while Kopitar maximizes his last run.

In fantasy terms, Kopitar’s farewell season likely preserves sturdy totals, but the shift in leadership and extra depth from Perry, Armia, Ceci and Dumoulin could lift several role players. With Kempe buoying production and the team aiming for a deep run, opportunistic late-round targets across the Kings’ lineup become more intriguing as the season unfolds.

The Los Angeles Kings are making significant changes following four consecutive playoff exits in the first round. Highlighting their offseason efforts, they signed five free agents, including former Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry, to bolster their roster. Perry's one-year, $2.5 million deal is part of a strategy that also brought in Joel Armia, Cody Ceci, Brian Dumoulin, and Anton Forsberg. This shake-up comes with new General Manager Ken Holland at the helm, who aims to guide the Kings beyond the first round for the first time since the 2014-15 season.

Perry, at 40, had a standout season, scoring 19 goals for the Edmonton Oilers. His experience, combined with Armia's consistency, is expected to enhance the Kings' forward depth. The defense is fortified with Ceci and Dumoulin, both seasoned players who can contribute significantly. Forsberg adds goaltending depth alongside Darcy Kuemper, enhancing the Kings’ chances of a playoff resurgence.

Buffalo Sabres forward JJ Peterka is currently day-to-day with an undisclosed issue, while teammate Jiri Kulich has returned from an illness. In contrast, Calgary Flames' Mikael Backlund left a recent game with an upper-body injury and is also day-to-day. Dallas Stars coach Peter DeBoer provided an optimistic update on Roope Hintz, suggesting he could play Sunday after recovering from a facial injury.

Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens welcomed back Patrik Laine to their roster but were without Joel Armia, who missed a game due to a hand injury. The Pittsburgh Penguins face ongoing injury concerns with defensemen Ryan Shea and Pierre-Olivier Joseph remaining week-to-week. Additionally, Toronto Maple Leafs’ Chris Tanev is on the verge of returning after being sidelined since February, providing a potential boost ahead of a critical matchup against the Florida Panthers.

Vancouver Canucks' Quinn Hughes recently resumed play, yet Elias Pettersson's status is uncertain after he exited a game early due to an undisclosed injury. The NHL trade deadline has heightened anticipation around player availability and the potential impact on fantasy teams. Monitoring these injuries closely will be crucial for fantasy managers as they prepare for the playoffs.

The Montreal Canadiens, despite a quiet trade deadline, are poised for an impactful summer, according to NHL insider Dave Pagnotta. He addressed speculation around key players like David Savard and Joel Armia, noting that the offers were underwhelming. Rather than making hasty moves, the Canadiens remain focused on maintaining competitive play as they approach the end of the season, giving younger players valuable experience.

Pagnotta anticipates that General Manager Kent Hughes will actively engage in the upcoming NHL Draft, suggesting that significant trades could emerge, similar to past years where the Canadiens successfully acquired talents like Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook. The focus now shifts to the draft in Los Angeles, where a more substantial move may be in the works, pointing to a strategic build-up for the future.