The math is finally mathing. For years, the Los Angeles Kings have lived in a world where every dollar felt like a heavy anchor. They navigated the "flat cap" era like a ship trying to sail through wet concrete. But it's 2026, and the landscape has shifted. The LA Kings salary cap situation isn't just about survival anymore; it's about weaponizing the massive jump in the NHL's upper limit to finally push back into the elite tier of the Western Conference.
Honestly, it’s a weird time to be a Kings fan. You’ve got the old guard like Drew Doughty still eating up huge chunks of the pie, while a new GM, Ken Holland, is trying to figure out how to pay the kids without blowing the whole budget.
The $95.5 Million Reality
The league finally opened the floodgates. For the 2025-26 season, the NHL salary cap jumped to $95.5 million. That is a massive leap from the $88 million we saw just a couple of seasons ago.
Why does this matter for LA?
Because for the first time in a decade, the front office has "breathing room." That’s a dangerous phrase in hockey. Historically, when the Kings have breathing room, they tend to spend it on big, flashy veterans. But the current roster construction demands a bit more finesse.
Where the Money is Currently Sitting
If you look at the books right now, it’s a bit of a jigsaw puzzle.
- Drew Doughty: Still the big fish at $11 million. At 36, he’s still logging massive minutes, but that cap hit is always going to be the elephant in the room.
- Kevin Fiala: Sitting at $7.875 million. He’s the engine of the offense most nights, and in this new cap environment, that deal actually looks like a bargain.
- Quinton Byfield: The bridge deal is over, and he’s now a cornerstone at $6.25 million.
- Anze Kopitar: The captain is in the twilight, but his $7 million hit is still there (though he's been dealing with some injury bugs lately).
The Kings are essentially spending nearly $32 million on just four players. That’s a lot of eggs in a few baskets. However, with the cap ceiling rising to nearly $100 million in the coming seasons, these numbers don't feel as suffocating as they used to.
What Most People Get Wrong About the LA Kings Salary Cap
There’s a common misconception that "more cap space equals more superstars." It’s not that simple. Ken Holland, who took over the GM reins in May 2025, has a specific reputation for spending every dime available. In Detroit and Edmonton, he was known for being aggressive.
The real secret to the LA Kings salary cap management right now isn't the big contracts. It’s the "middle class."
Look at guys like Mikey Anderson. He’s locked in at $4.125 million until 2031. When that deal was signed, people thought it was fine. Now? It’s arguably one of the best value contracts in the entire league. As the cap rises toward a projected $104 million for the 2026-27 season, Anderson’s hit becomes a smaller and smaller percentage of the total pool.
That is how you win in the modern NHL. You find guys who play like $6 million defensemen but only cost you $4 million.
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The Dead Money Hangover
We have to talk about Mike Richards. Yes, still. The termination of his contract back in 2015 resulted in a settlement that keeps him on the Kings' books until 2032. It’s only $600,000 a year, which sounds like pocket change for a professional sports team.
But in a tight playoff race? That $600k is the difference between being able to afford a veteran league-minimum depth piece at the trade deadline and having to play a rookie who isn't ready. It’s a ghost that continues to haunt the Staples Center—or Crypto.com Arena, if we're being corporate about it.
The Ken Holland Factor
When Luc Robitaille hired Ken Holland, the message was clear: "Win now."
Holland isn't here to rebuild. He’s here to take this $95.5 million budget and turn it into a deep playoff run. We've already seen him get creative. Bringing in Andrei Kuzmenko on a one-year, **$4.3 million** flyer was a classic Holland move. It’s a high-reward play that doesn't mess up the long-term LA Kings salary cap projections.
But there are risks.
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Holland has a history of giving term to older players. Fans are understandably nervous about what happens when Adrian Kempe needs his next deal in 2026. Kempe is currently a steal at $5.5 million, but he’s going to want a massive raise. If the Kings overpay for past performance rather than future potential, they could find themselves right back in cap hell by 2028.
Navigating the 2026 Roster Squeeze
The current roster is tight. Spotrac and PuckPedia have the Kings hovering right around the limit, especially with guys like Darcy Kuemper making $5.25 million in net.
Is Kuemper worth that much at 35?
The stats say he’s still a top-tier starter, but that’s a lot of money to tie up in a goalie when you have young prospects like Erik Portillo waiting in the wings. This is the constant push-and-pull of the LA Kings salary cap. You want the veteran stability, but the cap almost forces you to transition to cheaper, younger talent before you’re ready.
Future Projections (The $100M Era)
The NHL and NHLPA have already given us the roadmap.
- 2025-26: $95.5 Million
- 2026-27: $104 Million (Projected)
- 2027-28: $113.5 Million (Projected)
By the time we hit 2027, the Kings will have nearly $20 million more to play with than they did just two years ago. That is "franchise-altering" money. It means they can afford to keep their core together while still being players in the free-agent market for a true #1 scoring winger or another top-pairing defenseman.
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Actionable Insights for the Offseason
If you’re tracking the LA Kings salary cap, keep an eye on these specific move types. This isn't just about who they sign; it's about how they structure the deals.
- The Bridge vs. The Long-Term: Watch how Holland handles Alex Laferriere. A bridge deal keeps the cap hit low now but risks a massive payout later. A long-term deal (like the one Mikey Anderson has) is the smarter play for a rising cap environment.
- Performance Bonus Management: Young guys like Brandt Clarke can earn bonuses that "roll over" into next year’s cap if the team is at the limit. This can create a "hidden" debt that bites the team in the fall.
- The Trade Deadline Retention: With the cap rising, the Kings are in a better position to take on salary from struggling teams in exchange for draft picks. They should use their extra space as a bank.
The days of the Kings being "cap-strapped" are effectively over, provided the front office doesn't get reckless. The 2026 season is the start of a new financial era in Los Angeles. The window is open. The money is there. Now, they just have to actually win some hockey games.
Focus on the internal growth of the younger players. If the Kings can get "surplus value" from guys on entry-level or bridge contracts, they can use their $95.5 million to fill the gaps with elite talent rather than just overpaying for depth. That’s how you build a contender in 2026.
Keep a close eye on the waiver wire and minor league call-ups. Small moves involving players like Samuel Helenius or Alex Turcotte might seem minor, but their sub-$1 million cap hits are what allow the Kings to keep stars like Doughty and Fiala on the roster. Every dollar counts, even when the ceiling is higher than ever.