Andrei Kuzmenko’s role on the Los Angeles Kings is in question as Artemi Panarin’s arrival reshapes the club’s offense, with knee surgery and a prove-it contract casting doubt on a return. Jeff Malott is also on the offseason list as a pending UFA who may be m
The Los Angeles Kings may have had a solid season despite the changes they made, but the offseason is already setting up as a test of priorities—especially on offense.
Artemi Panarin was the headline addition for the Kings during the season. Now, a forward who once seemed like a piece of their scoring plans could become expendable: Andrei Kuzmenko. Eric Stephens of The Athletic wrote that “The Kings need more offense. Kuzmenko is capable of that. but on a one-year. $4.3 million prove-it contract. he had 13 goals in 52 games and helped only in an intermittent sense before he underwent knee surgery in February. With Panarin aboard, he’s likely not needed,” Stephens wrote.
Kuzmenko’s status hangs on what the Kings decide they need next. Stephens adds that if Kuzmenko had been the sharper. more consistent threat on the ice. bringing him back would have been a straightforward option. Instead, at this point, the expectation is that the team may look elsewhere for help to improve the roster.
Another forward also figures into the offseason picture, with Jeff Malott among the names that could be moved. Stephens wrote that “Malott built on his strong first impression from 2024-25 and spent the entire season in L.A. while playing in 58 games. He probably wound up playing too much. Malott is a strong organizational journeyman and a pending UFA. so the Kings could keep him or let him walk to free up a spot. ” Stephens wrote.
Taken together. the message coming out of Los Angeles is blunt: even players with value to the organization can become casualties of roster math and evolving needs. With Panarin already in the mix. Kuzmenko’s combination of production. contract structure. and recovery from knee surgery in February leaves the Kings deciding whether they want to bet on a return—or spend that spot differently.
For Malott, the question is less about a lack of usefulness and more about timing and space. Playing 58 games in L.A. and building on the strong first impression from 2024-25 makes him a known quantity. but Stephens’ view that he “probably wound up playing too much” also points to why the Kings might consider clearing a roster spot. With Malott listed as a pending UFA, the offseason could determine whether he stays in their plans or moves on.
It will be interesting to see how the Kings approach the offseason—and which forward roles the organization treats as non-negotiable as it tries to sharpen its offense for the next season.
Los Angeles Kings Artemi Panarin Andrei Kuzmenko Jeff Malott NHL rumors offseason roster