The Los Angeles Kings are heading toward the 2026-27 regular season with several players in new spots. NHL.com's Kings insider column, published Sept. 30, calls it a land of opportunity and looks at 10 opportunities across the organization. Two of them stand out for how the lines are taking shape.
The first belongs to Quinton Byfield. NHL.com says he has a chance to be a true number-one center for the first time in his NHL career. Last season he led all Kings centers in time on ice and was leaned on in all situations by Interim Head Coach D.J. Smith. He still was not at the top of the depth chart, and he did not skate with Artemi Panarin or Adrian Kempe, the team's top two wingers.
That has changed in training camp. According to the column, Byfield has centered Panarin and Kempe for most of camp. NHL.com notes that the Kings need more from him and that his best stretches have not always come together as one complete package. Early signs suggest he will get the chance to show that between the team's top two offensive players.
Kempe described the setup as a great opportunity for Byfield and for himself and Panarin. He also said the chemistry felt good right away, per NHL.com. The column adds that Panarin's place on the top line is not expected to change.
The second is Alex Turcotte, who is set for an early look on the second line between Mats Zuccarello and Alex Laferriere. NHL.com cautions that the placement is not guaranteed for the full season. It says his production has not matched those roles and that he has never held onto top-six spots, though he has shown he can affect games there.
In the column's view, where Turcotte was drafted no longer matters. He gets that look from Game 1.