The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-kings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Kings</a> have officially parted ways with Jim Hiller, with the organization confirming what Elliott Friedman of Sportsnet reported earlier on Sunday. The team is fifth on the Pacific Division on the Western Conference and that has prompted a change.



Frank Seravalli also reported that DJ Smith will be the interim head coach for the remainder of the season, <a href="https://www.nhl.com/kings/news/la-kings-announce-coaching-update" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">confirmed by the Kings in a statement</a>. In fact, he reported that the Kings don’t have any plans to go into a search in-season. Matt Greene will also go to the bench as an assistant coach. Greene was on the player development coach role prior to this move.



Hiller failed to replicate the success of a team that has looked quite disorganized and undisciplined. Hiller wasn’t able to turn things around and after 59 games, the front office decided that a change was imperative. Now, it’s up to Smith to deliver.



<h2>Hiller had quite the downfall</h2>



Under Jim Hiller’s leadership, the Kings soared to a franchise-record 48 wins and 105 points during his debut full season, a high-water mark the team has struggled to replicate in the years since.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The <a href="https://twitter.com/LAKings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LAKings</a> have announced the hiring of D.J. Smith as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. <a href="https://t.co/AyM7nFpUMH">pic.twitter.com/AyM7nFpUMH</a>— NHL (@NHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL/status/2028161864866168887?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2026</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Now, Smith has been an associate coach under Hiller since 2024, so he knows the locker room and the team. Smith also has quite the head coaching experience as he was the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ottawa-senators" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ottawa Senators</a> head coach for five seasons. That also makes Smith avoid the learning curve that a newbie might face.


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<h2>There are some concerns on Smith too</h2>



This season is now a coin flip for the Kings. If Smith can deliver, good things can be seen in the horizon. However, that is not a guarantee by any means. Hence, there are some concerns too.



His tenure in Ottawa might have been a long one, but it wasn’t precisely a great period. He had a 131-154-32 record with the Canadian team, and never made the playoffs. Smith was also heavily criticized for lacking a defensive structure, which might not fit well with the Kings, whose identity is built on structure.

LA Kings fire Jim Hiller and reportedly make bold decision on his replacement

LA Kings fire Jim Hiller and reportedly make bold decision on his replacement - Bolavip US

miniaturas

While the entire NHL placed its attention on the 2026 Winter Olympics, Artemi Panarin geared up to make a lasting first impression with the Los Angeles Kings. However, he couldn’t embark on his new challenge without bidding farewell to Mike Sullivan and the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/new-york-rangers">New York Rangers</a> first.



That he did. Panarin has now issued a sincere statement for <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/mike-sullivan">Sullivan</a> and the Rangers. Among many things, “The Breadman” voiced a strong confession on his emotions as he is set to return to New York City shortly after transitioning to Los Angeles.



“I’m a little nervous to think about coming back [to New York] in March, but I’m looking forward and can’t wait to see you all,” Panarin admitted in his message for the Rangers, per <a href="https://www.nhl.com/">NHL.com</a> insider Kevin Weekes.



<h2>Panarin returns to NYC to face Rangers</h2>



The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-kings">Los Angeles Kings</a> will visit the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on March 16th. It will be the fifth game on a five-game road trip for the Kings, which will include a visit to the Columbus Blue Jackets—whom Panarin played before signing with the Blueshirts as an unrestricted free agent. Seven years later, Panarin’s time in Manhattan was up, but he is showing no regrets.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/04050423/mike-sullivan-2-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-573007"></figure><figcaption>Head coach Mike Sullivan of the Rangers arrives for the game.</figcaption></figure>



“Seven years ago I chose New York with my heart and I didn’t choose wrong,” Panarin stated in his text message to Weekes. “New York you will be always be in my heart! Thank you for letting me play for this legendary team at MSG and live in this amazing city.”


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<h2>Panarin’s stats</h2>



As the 2025–26 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl">NHL</a> season resumes, Panarin will return to action for the first time since Jan. 26. Hoping to re-ignite his red-hot form, Panarin had served as a healthy scratch for the Rangers in their final four outings before the Olympic break. Now in a new environment, he hopes to pick up where he left off. 



So far, Panarin has registered 19 goals and 38 assists for a grand total of 57 points in 52 games. Despite his missed games, Panarin still leads the Rangers in points. As he joins the Kings, his 57-point total is also the highest of any player on the squad.


<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="699e3578d1eb01dac3090efa" data-title="How many points will Panarin record with the Kings in the 2025-26 season?" data-options="5"></div>

Artemi Panarin makes sincere confession on facing Mike Sullivan, NY Rangers after trade to Kings

Artemi Panarin makes sincere confession on facing Mike Sullivan, NY Rangers after trade to Kings - Bolavip US

Panarin makes sincere confession on facing Sullivan, NY Rangers after trade to Kings

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/new-york-rangers">New York Rangers</a> know the writing is on the wall for them in the 2025–26 NHL season. The silver lining—if there even is one—is that things can’t actually get much worse. The way things have gone for the Blueshirts, though, not many would dare take that for granted.



With Vincent Trocheck in town, the Rangers know they have a key player who is drawing attention from all across the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl">NHL</a>. Still, Trocheck’s contract grants him a right to veto certain moves. Now, reports suggest he used his leverage to turn down interest from the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-kings">Los Angeles Kings</a>, who would’ve paired him with Artemi Panarin.



“[The Kings] are going to look at the [face-off] dot, they’re going to see if they can bring somebody in up the middle. They asked about Vincent Trocheck, but [he] didn’t want to go out West, anywhere,” as reported on Oilersnation Everyday podcast.



<h2>Where Trocheck stands</h2>



Although Trocheck is currently busy with Mike Sullivan, J.T. Miller, and Team USA in the 2026 Winter Olympics, one can’t help but believe he’s gotten wind of the buzz around his name back in Manhattan.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/12182237/vincent-trocheck-2-1920x1080.webp" alt="Vincent Trocheck" class="wp-image-579007"></figure><figcaption>Vincent Trocheck at Madison Square Garden in New York City.</figcaption></figure>



Regardless, there isn’t much he can do from Milan. Moreover, there is nothing the Rangers can do until Trocheck returns from Italy, either. Until then, the NHL will be under the Olympic roster freeze, which means the Blueshirts—and the rest of the league, for that matter—can’t move, trade, sign, or call up players.


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<h2>No trade list</h2>



Trocheck is playing through the fourth season of his seven-year, $39.38 million contract with the Rangers. Though he doesn’t enjoy full job security, his contract includes a modified no-trade clause (M-NTC) in the form of a 12-team no-trade list. 



As reported, Trocheck is looking to stay in the Eastern Conference. However, the Rangers may prefer to see him headed to the Western Conference, to avoid handing a direct rival such a weapon. Moreover, there are 16 teams in the West, so even if Trocheck wants to remain East-bound, his leverage does not grant him full immunity.

NY Rangers star shuts the door on Artemi Panarin’s Kings with final stance on his future

NY Rangers star shuts the door on Artemi Panarin’s Kings with final stance on his future - Bolavip US

Artemi Panarin has already flipped the page. ‘The Breadman’ is ready for his next chapter in the NHL, after the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/new-york-rangers">New York Rangers</a> traded him to the Los Angeles Kings. Still, he dropped a bold confession about the Blueshirts. Although it was one in which he didn’t throw Mike Sullivan nor his former teammates under the bus.



Panarin’s introduction to the Kings was very revealing. In more ways than one, it was far more interesting for the Rangers than for the organization in <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-kings">Los Angeles</a>. Among many pivotal topics, the Rangers may have discovered a mole after <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/ny-rangers-discover-mole-on-mike-sullivans-team-as-artemi-panarin-reveals-teammate-convinced-him-on-trade-to-kings">Panarin confirmed a Rangers teammate convinced him</a> on being traded to the Kings.



On another note, Panarin addressed his exit from the Rangers. The 34-year-old winger admitted what went on behind the scenes. Moreover, he dropped a pointed comment aimed at New York—though not at <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/mike-sullivan">Sullivan</a> or his teammates. Instead, Panarin took a shot at general manager Chris Drury and the front office. In his statement, Panarin blamed them and the contract extension they offered him before the 2025-26 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl">NHL</a> season.



“I don’t know if I should say this, but I feel like their offer said, ‘We’re not sure if we want you or not.’ That’s why I’m not signed [in New York],” Panarin admitted, via Vince Mercogliano of The Athletic, blaming New York’s organization for his dramatic departure.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/28113548/mike-sullivan-1-1920x1080.webp" alt="Mike Sullivan" class="wp-image-552742"></figure><figcaption>Mike Sullivan at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. </figcaption></figure>



<h2>Shots fired between Rangers and Panarin</h2>



The timing of Panarin’s statement couldn’t have been any better. <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/ny-rangers-gm-drops-bold-claim-about-artemi-panarin-hours-after-trade-to-kings">Rangers GM Drury had dropped a bold claim about Panarin</a> just hours after the trade. Just like Panarin did—during his teleconference—Drury sent out mixed signals during his press conference in The Big Apple, too. 


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Despite praising Panarin for his time with the Broadway Blueshirts, Drury also made some blunt remarks that made noise. For example, the GM <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/ny-rangers-make-something-clear-to-mike-sullivan-and-fans-with-subtle-dig-at-artemi-panarin-after-kings-trade">made something clear to Sullivan and Rangers fans with a slight dig at Panarin</a>. In that regard, Drury suggested the trade is a big step toward retooling the roster.



<h2>Over, at last</h2>



All in all, it seems Panarin, Drury, and the Rangers had a lot to tell one another. However, both opted to wait until it was all said and done to go at each other’s throats. That goes to show exactly why the story between Panarin and New York had its ending already written in stone. 



Regardless of <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/ny-rangers-mike-sullivan-breaks-silence-after-artemi-panarin-trade-with-honest-comment-on-their-relationship">Sullivan’s honest comments about Panarin and their relationship</a>, for which he had nothing but nice words. The saga went beyond Sullivan’s reach, as he has only just arrived in Broadway, and was caught in the crossfire. At the end of the day, Panarin and the Rangers’ story was doomed from the get-go in the 2025-26 season.

Artemi Panarin fires vivid shot at NY Rangers after trade to Kings, leaving Mike Sullivan and teammates out of the picture

Artemi Panarin fires vivid shot at NY Rangers after trade to Kings, leaving Mike Sullivan and teammates out of the picture - Bolavip US

Panarin fires shot at NY Rangers, leaving Sullivan, teammates out

Artemi Panarin’s introduction as a member of the Los Angeles Kings didn’t disappoint. Following his dramatic exit from the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/new-york-rangers">New York Rangers</a> in the 2025-26 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl">NHL</a> season, Panarin dropped a shocking admission, that Mike Sullivan and company may have to look deep into.



When it came to Panarin’s next destination in the NHL, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/mike-sullivan">Sullivan</a> and the Rangers were completely in the dark. That was until hours before the Olympic roster freeze deadline. Only then, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/artemi-panarin-reportedly-made-one-thing-clear-to-ny-rangers-before-la-kings-trade">Panarin made one thing clear to the Rangers</a>, and that was that he would only waive his no movement clause for a trade to the Kings. 



With no leverage whatsoever, their hands tied, and a ticking clock, GM Chris Drury and the Rangers were left with no choice but to send Panarin to Los Angeles—and accept whatever the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-kings" rel="sponsored nofollow">Kings</a> gave up in return. Needless to say, it was far from a king’s ransom. 



<h2>Why Los Angeles?</h2>



Many fans in New York will say Panarin was traded for peanuts. Regardless, many others still couldn’t wrap their heads around the why. After so much talk surrounding Florida-based organizations or clear-cut Stanley Cup contenders like the Colorado Avalanche, why did Panarin decide he would only play for the Kings? The move made even less sense after <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/artemi-panarins-contract-details-with-la-kings-revealed-as-ny-rangers-reportedly-accept-sacrifice-in-trade">Panarin’s Kings contract details were revealed</a>. It didn’t take a genius to assume he could’ve signed for more with another organization.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/05130748/artemi-panarin-3-1920x1080.webp" alt="Artemi Panarin" class="wp-image-574177"></figure><figcaption>Artemi Panarin at the 2023 NHL All-Star Game</figcaption></figure>



Los Angeles boasts a strong lineup, no doubt. But the Kings are currently on the outside looking in at the playoffs, and the active lineup features just one fellow Russian, Andrei Kuzmenko. Well, that question has now been answered, as Panarin confessed who was behind him buying into the Kings—and it was someone within the Rangers’ organization who knows L.A. like the back of his hand: Vladislav Gavrikov.


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“[Panarin] didn’t deny that there were higher offers but said money wasn’t the most important thing for him,” The Athletic’s Vince Mercogliano reported. “He wanted the security of the extension, but it was also about “the feeling” he had about the team. Said he talked to Vladislav Gavrikov a lot about the Kings and that helped sell him.“



<h2>Troubling news for Rangers</h2>



The Rangers may react angrily to the information provided by Panarin. At the end of the day, a player like Gavrikov was brought on board to help the team on the ice and build a winning culture in the locker room—not serve as a PR assistant for other teams. 



However, whether it was Gavrikov pumping the tires on Los Angeles or any other factor, Panarin would’ve made a decision either way. Whether he chose the Kings or another team, that side would’ve offered New York a similar deal, as the Blueshirts were essentially forced to work something out before the deadline.

NY Rangers discover mole on Mike Sullivan’s team as Artemi Panarin reveals teammate convinced him on trade to Kings

NY Rangers discover mole on Mike Sullivan's team as Artemi Panarin reveals teammate convinced him on trade to Kings - Bolavip US

Rangers discover mole on Sullivan's team as Panarin reveals who convinced him on trade to Kings

If the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/new-york-rangers">New York Rangers</a> thought trading Artemi Panarin would stop the incessant barrage of questions regarding “the Breadman,” then they are in for a rude awakening. Still, general manager Chris Drury stood at the podium after the trade went through, delivering a bold message about the newest member of the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-kings">Los Angeles Kings</a>.



The two sides must flip the page. Panarin is the latest addition to the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/artemi-panarin-exits-ny-rangers-projected-lines-for-la-kings-after-blockbuster-trade">Kings’ projected lines for the 2025-26 NHL campaign</a>. Meanwhile, the Rangers face glaring holes all across the lineup. Still, Panarin’s exit from New York doesn’t change how the Rangers feel about him and his time as a Blueshirt. That was confirmed during Drury’s media availability, in which there was a predominant topic.



“Artemi’s an incredible player, arguably the best free agent signing in the 100-year history of the franchise,” Drury boldly commented, via Mollie Walker of the New York Post. “He deserves a chance to win and we wanted to give him that chance as we retool the team. It’s never easy to move a player of Artemi’s caliber.”



<h2>Candid debate around the trade</h2>



After listening to Drury’s high praise for Panarin, the fact he was shopped for a conditional third-round pick and prospect Liam Greentree doesn’t sit right with the fanbase in the Big Apple.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/05144914/chris-drury-1-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-574315"></figure><figcaption>Chris Drury GM of the NY Rangers</figcaption></figure>



To an extent, even Drury may be displeased with the overall trade. However, considering the Rangers had their hands tied in more ways than one, they couldn’t seek much more—or better—assets, either.


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The glass-half-full perspective makes New York grateful that it was even able to trade Panarin before the Olympic roster freeze. Had they missed the deadline, the Rangers would’ve been stuck with Panarin—perhaps until the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl">NHL</a> trade deadline—risking being left to watch him walk away as an unrestricted free agent (UFA) in the summer. Moreover, the Blueshirts would have had even less leverage in March than they did in February, which is saying a lot.



<h2>Silver lining for the NY Rangers</h2>



There were far worse paths to go down—including a <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/artemi-panarin-rumors-ny-rangers-warned-about-worst-case-scenario-brewing">reported worst-case scenario brewing for the Rangers</a>—than shipping Panarin to the Kings in return of a third-round (potentially second) selection and a former first-round talent like Greentree.



Still, the trade will continue to sting in New York City. Perhaps it’s not the move itself that burns, but the feeling of emptiness that one of the best free-agent signings in Rangers history saw his chapter come to an abrupt close, with no Cups to show for it.


<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="6984f3ba70a943df4bc92a84" data-title="Do you agree with Drury in that Panarin is the best free agency pickup in franchise history?" data-options="2"></div>

NY Rangers’ GM drops bold claim about Artemi Panarin hours after trade to Kings

NY Rangers' GM drops bold claim about Artemi Panarin hours after trade to Kings - Bolavip US

Finally, Artemi Panarin’s drama has been put to rest. However, that doesn’t mean the waters have even remotely calmed down for the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/new-york-rangers">New York Rangers</a>. If anything, moving on from Panarin was only the first hurdle—a pivotal one, obviously—but the first nonetheless. Now, the work may only just be beginning for Chris Drury, Mike Sullivan, and the Blueshirts going forward in the NHL.



The writing was on the wall for Panarin’s time in Manhattan. However, his next destination was still up in the air. According to reports, it remained that way until just hours before the NHL’s Olympic roster freeze, when <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/artemi-panarin-reportedly-made-one-thing-clear-to-ny-rangers-before-la-kings-trade">Panarin made one thing clear to New York</a> and its front office, admitting where he wanted to play. 



Drury and the Rangers respected his wish, and that was that: “The Breadman” became the newest King in the league. After <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/artemi-panarin-exits-ny-rangers-projected-lines-for-la-kings-after-blockbuster-trade">Panarin exited the Rangers, the Los Angeles Kings’ projected lines</a> received a massive boost. Despite the highs-and-lows, it seemed there was no bad blood between Panarin and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/mike-sullivan">Sullivan</a>‘s Rangers. However, Drury dropped a comment during a press conference that may paint a different picture.



<h2>Drury’s message hides shot at Panarin</h2>



“Our fans deserve a Stanley Cup, not a team just hoping to get in as the last wild card,” Drury admitted, via The New York Post. “So we felt it was best to start this organizational shift sooner than later.“



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/05123200/chris-drury-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-574130"></figure><figcaption>Chris Drury GM of the NY Rangers</figcaption></figure>



The Rangers’ general manager didn’t mince words during his media availability. Obviously, as <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/artemi-panarins-contract-details-with-la-kings-revealed-as-ny-rangers-reportedly-accept-sacrifice-in-trade">Panarin’s move and contract details with the Kings were revealed</a>, the biggest trade of the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl">NHL</a> season was the talk of the town in the Big Apple. Needless to say, there was no escaping the barrage of questions for Drury.


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With his statement, the GM managed to wield a double-edged sword—one side pointing at Sullivan, whose job is to put the struggling Rangers back on their feet, and the other aimed at Panarin, whose departure for <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-kings">Los Angeles</a> signals the end of an era in New York.



<h2>New York wants the Cup</h2>



The Rangers have divisional conquests and a Presidents’ Trophy to show for it. For some organizations, that’s more than enough. However, Drury made it clear that New York aspires to hoist Stanley Cups, and that an Eastern Conference Final run in 2024 is far from the end goal. 



“That will be the guiding principle of every decision we make as an organization,” Drury stated. “How does this help us return to a Stanley Cup contender? We are going to work tirelessly at this every day to continue to improve and push towards that goal.”



Although the Blueshirts have admitted it’s time to embrace a retool—not to be mistaken for a rebuild, though the latter feels imminent as rough outings continue to pile up—Drury has set the franchise’s sights on Lord Stanley. Whether that is a realistic goal, that is another question. Despite the alarms going off and smoke coming out of the building, Drury is still painting a rosy picture.


<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="6984d4c470a943df4bc92a77" data-title="Considering the spot New York was put on, how would you grade the Artemi Panarin trade?" data-options="5"></div>

NY Rangers make something clear to Mike Sullivan and fans, with subtle dig at Artemi Panarin after Kings trade

NY Rangers make something clear to Mike Sullivan and fans, with subtle dig at Artemi Panarin after Kings trade - Bolavip US

NY Rangers make something clear to Sullivan, fans with subtle dig at Panarin after trade

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-kings">Los Angeles Kings</a> have secured one of the biggest acquisitions of the season, landing Artemi Panarin from the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/new-york-rangers">New York Rangers</a> in a blockbuster move. The deal not only sends a superstar winger to LA but also comes with immediate clarity on his future with the franchise.



According to Elliotte Friedman, Panarin has agreed to a two‑year extension worth $11 million AAV, ensuring he remains a central piece of the Kings’ lineup beyond this season. The commitment underscores LA’s aggressive push to strengthen its offensive core as it aims for a deep playoff run, with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/artemi-panarin-exits-ny-rangers-projected-lines-for-la-kings-after-blockbuster-trade">Panarin improving the Kings’ forward lines</a>.



NHL insider Chris Johnston reported that the Rangers are retaining 50% of Panarin’s salary as part of the trade to the Kings, a significant financial sacrifice that underscores New York’s willingness to absorb short‑term cost to complete the deal.



<h2>Panarin’s contract conditions</h2>



Johnston also detailed the conditions attached to the draft pick included in the deal:



<ul><li>If the Kings win one playoff round this year, the pick becomes a second‑rounder.</li><li>If the Kings win two playoff rounds, New York also receives a 2028 fourth‑round pick.</li></ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/04154748/panarin-artemi-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-573498"></figure><figcaption>Artemi Panarin #10 with the Rangers scores a goal. Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



These conditions give the Rangers potential upside depending on LA’s postseason performance, while the Kings gain a top‑tier offensive weapon for their playoff push. This match seemed written in the stars, with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/artemi-panarin-reportedly-made-one-thing-clear-to-ny-rangers-before-la-kings-trade">Panarin reportedly making it clear to the Rangers</a> that he only wanted to be traded to LA.


<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="6983af5670a943df4bc92a59" data-title="Which part of the Artemi Panarin trade impacts the teams the most?" data-options="4"></div>

Artemi Panarin’s contract details with LA Kings revealed as NY Rangers reportedly accept sacrifice in trade

Matthew Tkachuk sends five-word cry for help to Brad Marchand, injury-riddled Panthers

Artemi Panarin's contract details with LA Kings revealed as NY Rangers reportedly accept sacrifice in trade - Bolavip US

Panarin's contract details with LA Kings revealed as NY Rangers reportedly accept sacrifice in trade

Although the NHL season is in full swing, player movement continues unabated. The latest news confirms <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/artemi-panarin-exits-ny-rangers-projected-lines-for-la-kings-after-blockbuster-trade">Artemi Panarin’s departure: after leaving the New York Rangers</a>, he has officially become a member of the Los Angeles Kings.



Details about the move have also come to light. According to insider Mollie Walker, who shared the news on her X account, the Kings were the only team Panarin wanted to join—and the only team the Rangers were willing to deal with.



With this move, Panarin arrives in Los Angeles to join Andrei Kuzmenko. In doing so, the now former <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/new-york-rangers">Ranger</a> fulfills one of his main conditions for leaving: the opportunity to play alongside a fellow countryman.



The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-kings">Kings</a> are currently experiencing an uneven stretch this season, striving to climb toward the top spots in the Pacific Division. Will Panarin’s arrival be the missing piece that truly turns them into a contender?



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/04152544/panarin-1920x1080.webp" alt="Artemi Panarin" class="wp-image-573462"></figure><figcaption>Artemi Panarin #10 with the New York Rangers in action.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>The potential impact of Panarin on the Kings</h2>



Panarin is expected to provide the elite offensive spark Los Angeles was seeking for its championship push. That explains why the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/artemi-panarins-contract-details-with-la-kings-revealed-as-ny-rangers-reportedly-accept-sacrifice-in-trade">Kings were willing to hand Panarin a new contract, with help from the Rangers</a>.



The Breadman arrives with world-class playmaking and a high hockey IQ, qualities backed by his strong 2025-26 stats where he has already recorded 57 points (19 goals and 38 assists) in just 52 games.

Artemi Panarin reportedly made one thing clear to NY Rangers before LA Kings trade

Artemi Panarin reportedly made one thing clear to NY Rangers before LA Kings trade - Bolavip US

The drama is finally over. The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/new-york-rangers">New York Rangers</a> have traded Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings with just minutes to spare before the Olympic roster freeze in the 2025-26 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl">NHL</a> season. Now, the Kings could boast one of the best forward lines across the league.



By adding Panarin to the equation, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-kings">Los Angeles</a> could now put forward the following forward lines. It’s still early to tell where ‘The Breadman’ will play, but there is a chance he is placed on the first forward line immediately upon arrival. 



Such a move could send Corey Perry down to the second unit, setting off a domino effect down the left wing. If that were the case, here is how the Kings could look, according to Daily Faceoff.



<ul><li>Artemi Panarin LW – Alex Laferriere C – Adrian Kempe RW</li><li>Corey Perry – Anze Kopitar – Joel Armia</li><li>Trevor Moore – Quinton Byfield – Andrei Kuzmenko</li><li>Kevin Fiala – Samuel Helenius – Taylor Ward</li></ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/03114347/artemi-panarin-1920x1080.webp" alt="Artemi Panarin" class="wp-image-572591"></figure><figcaption>Artemi Panarin #10 of the Rangers in action against the Sabres.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>What’s next for Panarin?</h2>



Amid much uncertainty about his future, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/artemi-panarin-reportedly-made-one-thing-clear-to-ny-rangers-before-la-kings-trade">Panarin made one thing clear to the Rangers before being traded to the Kings</a>. Moreover, ‘The Breadman’ expressed a deep desire: wherever he was headed next, he planned to stay there for a while. Therefore, as soon as news broke of his blockbuster trade to the Kings, the buzz shifted to contract talks. 


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Panarin is playing on the final season of his seven-year, $81.5 million deal. That meant he would become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) in the summer of 2026. According to reports, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/artemi-panarins-contract-details-with-la-kings-revealed-as-ny-rangers-reportedly-accept-sacrifice-in-trade">the Rangers made a sacrifice to trade Panarin to Los Angeles</a>, eating up a considerable percentage of his cap hit for the 2025-26 NHL season. 



As a result, the Kings will enjoy Panarin at a discount for the second-half of the campaign. However, re-signing Panarin to an extension was also a part of the trade with the Rangers, and the Kings have now hold on to their end of the bargain. According to Chris Johnston, the Kings have agreed to a two-year, $22 million extension with Panarin. With that, all the drama around Panarin has now been put to rest. Barring a shocking trade deadline move, Panarin will stay in Los Angeles through the 2027-28 NHL season.

Artemi Panarin exits NY Rangers: Projected lines for LA Kings after blockbuster trade

Artemi Panarin exits NY Rangers: Projected lines for LA Kings after blockbuster trade - Bolavip US

Not every <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl">NHL</a> playoff team arrived with momentum. In certain seasons, the standings told an uncomfortable story: clubs with more losses than wins advancing while others packed up early, victims of divisional math rather than on-ice results.



Some cases emerged from expansion imbalance, weak divisions, and formats that favored survival over excellence. The records were ugly, the margins thin, and the logic often questionable, with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/most-consecutive-losses-in-nhl-history">losing streaks</a> telling the real story.



Years later, those playoff entries still stand out. They weren’t memorable for long runs or trophies, but for how low the bar once sat—and how the postseason occasionally welcomed teams that barely held it together.



<h2>The worst records ever to make the NHL playoffs</h2>



<h3>Vancouver Canucks (1978–79)</h3>



The 1978–79 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/vancouver-canucks">Vancouver Canucks</a> are a fascinating snapshot of how league structure can rewrite competitive fairness. In an era when nearly two-thirds of NHL clubs qualified for the postseason, they managed to earn a Stanley Cup Playoffs spot despite a 25-42-13 record (63 points).



Their qualification was less about success and more about the Smythe Division’s collective weakness; Vancouver’s point total was second only to division mate Chicago, whose own record was barely above .500.



On ice, they were an inconsistent outfit. Though Ron Sedlbauer cracked 40 goals and served as a rare bright spot, the team’s –74 goal differential reflected defensive instability and offensive stagnation against stronger opponents.



In the playoffs, Vancouver proved why their regular season results weren’t a fluke: they were eliminated in the preliminary round by the Philadelphia Flyers in a best-of-three, managing just one win before bowing out.



<h3>Oakland Seals (1969–70)</h3>



If early NHL expansion had a poster child for competitive futility, it would be the 1969–70 Oakland Seals. In just their third season, they limped to a 22–40–14 record (58 points) and finished dead last among playoff qualifiers — a team that, under modern formats, would have been nowhere near postseason contention.



But the context is key: the NHL’s post-1967 expansion divisions were notoriously uneven. Teams simply didn’t have enough talent depth to keep up with longstanding franchises, and the West Division in particular was an early battleground for instability.



Oakland’s offense sputtered (169 goals scored), their defense was porous (243 allowed), and the club’s roster featured few impact stars. Ted Hampson led the club with just 52 points, and Carol Vadnais paced the team with 24 goals — modest totals even for that era.



Their playoff run was short and bitter: swept 4-0 by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the quarterfinals. But the Seals’ mere presence in the playoffs remains one of the more surreal snapshots of how expansion growing pains could catapult underachieving teams into April hockey.



<h3>Los Angeles Kings (1968–69)</h3>



Two years before the Oakland Seals’ playoff appearance, the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-kings">Los Angeles Kings</a> of 1968–69 embodied the same paradox: a club with poor results but postseason access. Their 24–42–10 record and 58 points look bleak on paper, yet Los Angeles finished fourth in the West Division and qualified for playoff action.



This was a formative NHL era, shortly after the league doubled in size. Competitive balance hadn’t caught up to rapid expansion, and divisions like the West were composed of teams still finding their identities.



In a twist of fate, this Kings squad actually won a playoff game and pushed their quarterfinal series to seven games, an unexpected achievement given their regular season struggles, before an eventual defeat.



<h3>Toronto Maple Leafs (1987–88)</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/08103223/Toronto-Maple-Leafs-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-558465"></figure><figcaption>1987–88 Toronto Maple Leafs (Source: NHL Auctions)</figcaption></figure>



When discussing the worst teams to make the NHL playoffs, no story hits harder than the 1987–88 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/toronto-maple-leafs">Toronto Maple Leafs</a>. This club finished the season 21–49–10, accumulating just 52 points — the fewest of any team ever to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs in a full season since the modern era began.



Toronto’s plight was a perfect storm of structural advantage and on-ice ineptitude. They were part of the Norris Division, widely viewed as the weakest in the league that year, and took advantage of a format that advanced four teams from each division regardless of overall performance.



Statistically, this Maple Leafs team was a sieve defensively (outscored 345–273) and scraped out wins only sporadically. Eddie Olczyk’s 42 goals were a lone offensive bright spot in a season most fans would rather forget.



They clinched their playoff berth by a hair, edging the Minnesota North Stars by a single point, only to be dispatched in the opening round. Even decades later, the ’87-88 Leafs are the benchmark for how low a seasonal win total can be and still result in playoff hockey.



<h2>Which teams have the most losses in the NHL playoffs?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Team</td><td>Season</td><td>Losses</td><td>Games played</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas Stars</td><td>2019-20</td><td>12</td><td>27</td></tr><tr><td>Tampa Bay Lightning</td><td>2014-15</td><td>12</td><td>26</td></tr><tr><td>New York Rangers</td><td>2013-14</td><td>12</td><td>25</td></tr><tr><td>Calgary Flames</td><td>2003-04</td><td>11</td><td>26</td></tr><tr><td>Philadelphia Flyers</td><td>1986-87</td><td>11</td><td>26</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Kings</td><td>1992-93</td><td>11</td><td>24</td></tr><tr><td>St. Louis Blues</td><td>2018-19</td><td>10</td><td>26</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Kings</td><td>2013-14</td><td>10</td><td>26</td></tr><tr><td>Edmonton Oilers</td><td>2023-24</td><td>10</td><td>25</td></tr><tr><td>Vancouver Canucks</td><td>2010-11</td><td>10</td><td>25</td></tr><tr><td>New Jersey Devils</td><td>2000-01</td><td>10</td><td>25</td></tr><tr><td>San Jose Sharks</td><td>2015-16</td><td>10</td><td>24</td></tr><tr><td>New Jersey Devils</td><td>2011-12</td><td>10</td><td>24</td></tr><tr><td>Carolina Hurricanes</td><td>2001-02</td><td>10</td><td>23</td></tr><tr><td>Florida Panthers</td><td>1995-96</td><td>10</td><td>22</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Bruins</td><td>1987-88</td><td>10</td><td>22</td></tr><tr><td>Calgary Flames</td><td>1985-86</td><td>10</td><td>22</td></tr><tr><td>Colorado Avalanche</td><td>2001-02</td><td>10</td><td>21</td></tr><tr><td>Toronto Maple Leafs</td><td>1992-93</td><td>10</td><td>21</td></tr><tr><td>New York Rangers</td><td>2021-22</td><td>10</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>San Jose Sharks</td><td>2018-19</td><td>10</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>St. Louis Blues</td><td>2015-16</td><td>10</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>New York Rangers</td><td>2011-12</td><td>9</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Toronto Maple Leafs</td><td>2001-02</td><td>9</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Blackhawks</td><td>1989-90</td><td>9</td><td>20</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption>(Source: NHL Records)</figcaption></figure>

Teams with the worst records that qualified for NHL playoffs: Who was the lowest-seeded?

Teams with the worst records that qualified for NHL playoffs: Who was the lowest-seeded? - Bolavip US

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/detroit-red-wings">Detroit Red Wings</a> and Los Angeles Kings faced off Thursday at Crypto.com Arena in a tightly contested game. Detroit built an early lead but faced a late push from Los Angeles. Alex DeBrincat played a key role, scoring and assisting as the Red Wings held on to win 4‑3 in a shootout.



With <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/patrick-kane">Patrick Kane</a> still sidelined, DeBrincat set the tone for Detroit, contributing on the scoreboard and helping the team respond under pressure. The Red Wings demonstrated poise and determination across all lines to hold off Los Angeles and claim the victory.



“Obviously, we don’t want that to happen, but to battle through that, good PK in overtime, and to win in a shootout is great,” said DeBrincat, according to <a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/detroit-red-wings-los-angeles-kings-game-recap-october-30-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NHL.com</a>. “Two points is two points, and doesn’t matter how you get them. I thought we battled well today.”



Goaltender Cam Talbot stopped all three shootout attempts and finished with 35 saves, anchoring Detroit (8‑3‑0) to its third straight victory. DeBrincat added, “I think we’re pretty confident in our abilities on the power play, and just not let it bother us. Go out there, put one in the net, so it was good thing we could do it that quick and get the momentum back.”



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">CAM FREAKING TALBOT! 🤯 <a href="https://t.co/gSqV63fiNW">pic.twitter.com/gSqV63fiNW</a>— NHL (@NHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1984131009818886180?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2>Did the Red Wings prove their mettle by holding on?</h2>



Detroit regrouped after giving up two quick goals in the final minutes of regulation and held strong through overtime. Lucas Raymond scored the only shootout goal, sealing the win. 


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Head coach Todd McLellan, coaching his first game back in Los Angeles since his 2024 departure, praised the team: “We’d given up the two‑goal lead. Thought we were only leaving with a point. So give the guys credit… for sticking with it, recovering, finding a way.”


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The Red Wings will carry this momentum into their next matchup, aiming to continue their strong October performance. Meanwhile, the Kings will look to turn their point streak into full victories as they seek their first home win of the season. Detroit will face the Ducks tonight, Friday, at 10:00 p.m. ET.

Red Wings’ Alex DeBrincat makes his stance clear in shootout win vs. Kings

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NHL News: Red Wings' Alex DeBrincat makes something clear after recovery in shootout win vs LA Kings - Bolavip US

Red Wings' DeBrincat makes something clear after recovery in shootout win vs LA Kings

NHL News: Red Wings’ Alex DeBrincat makes something clear after recovery in shootout win vs LA Kings

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/connor-bedard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Connor Bedard</a> scored his third goal of the 2025-26 NHL season but it wasn’t enough for the Chicago Blackhawks to win their third straight game. Instead, the Hawks fell 3-1 to the Los Angeles Kings at United Center. After the game, Bedard voiced a sincere, yet surprising comment on the team in the City of Angels.



Bedard found the back of the net against the Kings—snapping his five-game goal drought in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NHL</a> campaign. It wasn’t a pretty tally, whatsoever, but it was enough to get past goaltender Anton Forsberg and put the Blackhawks up 1-0 in the first period. 



However, that was as many celebrations <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/chicago-blackhawks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chicago</a> would have during their night game with Los Angeles in the Windy City. From the second period onwards, the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-kings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kings</a> took control of the game, walking away with a 3-1 victory. Based on his postgame comment, it’s safe to say Bedard isn’t a fan of the Kings’ playstyle.



“[The LA Kings] play really boring. It’s not like a dig or anything. They sit back a lot and make it hard to get zone entries,” Bedard said postgame per Chicago Sun-Times’ Ben Pope and <a href="https://www.nhl.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">NHL.com</a>. “We started off the game pretty well. Our power play was terrible… and they used that [momentum]. And then in the second we were trying to do too much sometimes maybe. They fed off that, and we couldn’t obviously get it back in the third.”



<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Here&apos;s a closer look at this Bedard tip-in goal: <a href="https://t.co/AOMQGqsXSg">https://t.co/AOMQGqsXSg</a> <a href="https://t.co/xSxP2B78GM">pic.twitter.com/xSxP2B78GM</a>— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlackhawksFocus/status/1982588405491134782?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2025</a></blockquote></div> 



<h2>The coach agrees to an extent</h2>



While Jeff Blashill didn’t go as far as Bedard did in his emotion-filled statement, the Blackhawks head coach did share some thoughts with the 20-year-old star in Chicago. Though the loss is a tough pill to swallow, at least the locker room in Chi-city seems to be in agreement as to what caused them the game.


 

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“I thought we played really good in the first and probably could’ve ben up by two goals,” Blashill noted per the Chicago Tribune. “We self-inflicted a little bit in the second period, in terms of puck management and we made the game less direct. It was less predictable to ourselves.”



Albeit with a more professional tone, Blashill’s message after the game mirrored Bedard’s. Either the two practiced their lines before addressing the media, or the Blackhawks hashed it out in the locker room and saw eye to eye on what went wrong against the Kings. The latter seems the more realistic scenario. Now, Chicago must turn words into action, as the Blackhawks gear up to host the Ottawa Senators next.

NHL News: Connor Bedard turns heads with blunt take on the Kings after deflating loss with Blackhawks

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NHL News: Connor Bedard turns heads with blunt take on the Kings after deflating loss with Blackhawks - Bolavip US

Bedard turns heads with blunt take on the Kings after deflating loss with Blackhawks

Jon Cooper’s <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/tampa-bay-lightning" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> and the Los Angeles Kings have seemingly engaged in a game of hot potato. A handful of games into the 2025-26 NHL season, a recent addition to the Bolts is heading back to the Kings.



Phoenix Copley will surely hope he hasn’t lost the number of his real-estate agent in Los Angeles. After being claimed by <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/jon-cooper" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cooper</a> and the Lightning off waivers prio to the start of the NHL season, the veteran goalie is headed back to the City of Angels.



“The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-kings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kings</a> have acquired goaltender Pheonix Copley from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for future considerations,” as announced by @LAKingsPR on X (formerly Twitter).



<h2>Short-lived stay in Big Guava</h2>



While the 33-year-old netminder hoped a change of scenery might re-ignite his <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NHL</a> career, it simply wasn’t meant to be in Tampa. With rumors of Andrei Vasilevskiy being injured, Copley’s chances to man the Bolts’ crease temporarily increased. However, with Vasilevskiy having played in three of Tampa’s four games, there is no spot for the waiver addition in the lineup.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251015_BUS_509992_phoenix-copley-1024x576_79507c70.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-510034" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Phoenix Copley playing for the Los Angeles Kings</figcaption></figure>



Instead, the goaltender born and raised in North Pole, Alaska (not the actual North Pole, but a town roughly 1,700 miles from the top of the world) is headed back to Los Angeles. The odds of him serving an extended role like he did during the 2023-24 campaign—when he appeared in 37 games—are slim to none, however.


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<h2>Goaltending room in LA</h2>



With Copley’s return to the organization, the Kings now boast a goalie room filled with experience. Darcy Kuemper (35), Anton Forsberg (32), and Phoenix Copley (33) will be competing for ice-time, though the former is the clear-cut starter. Los Angeles boasts one of the oldest goaltending rooms in the NHL.



After trading for Copley, the Kings have assigned 25-year-old Erik Portillo to the AHL affiliate Ontario Reign. In addition to Portillo, the Kings have 19-year-old goalie George Carter, who is signed to his entry-level contract, in their ranks as well.

NHL News: Jon Cooper, Lightning part ways with recent acquisition being bounced around with Kings

NHL News: Jon Cooper, Lightning part ways with recent acquisition being bounced around with Kings - Bolavip US

Cooper, Lightning part ways with recent acquisition being bounced around with Kings

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/mitch-marner" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mitch Marner</a>, Jack Eichel, and the Vegas Golden Knights couldn’t deliver an NHL opening night victory to their fans at T-Mobile Arena. The Los Angeles Kings walked away with a victory to spoil the debut in Las Vegas for the former Maple Leaf star.



Shortly after re-signing with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/vegas-golden-knights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vegas</a> on an eight-year, $108 million deal, Eichel put on the pads and took to the ice at T-Mobile Arena. Eichel and Marner made their first official appearance in the NHL, but it ended in sorrow. The Golden Knights fell in a shootout to the Kings after the game ended 5-5 in regulation. 



Fans in Sin City were treated to a goal fest in the 2025-26 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NHL</a> season opener. It was all in vain, though, as Marner and company couldn’t close it out after leading the Kings 5-3 in the third period. Following the defeat, Eichel delivered a bold message for Marner and the locker room to hear.



“It’s frustrating to give up a two-goal lead in the third. We’ll learn from that and be better for it,” Eichel admitted, via NHL.com. “But there were some things to like. Obviously, we were down a few, got back in the game, got the lead. We want to be able to close those out.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251009_BUS_505886_jack-eichel-1-1024x576_d2e2f81c.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Jack Eichel skates in warmups" class="wp-image-505927" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Jack Eichel at T-Mobile Arena on October 08, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. </figcaption></figure>



<h2>Still getting to know each other</h2>



Eichel and Marner are set to be one of the best (if not the best) duos in the entire NHL. The Golden Knights know they have two unstoppable and complementary weapons in their hands. There is work left to be done, though. Chemistry must be built and it can take some time before the two truly reach their full potential.


 

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“I thought as the game went on, we settled in, started making plays, finding each other, using our speed,” Eichel said about playing with Marner. “I thought we had some good opportunities. There’s things we want to build on, continue to get better at. But there’s some positives to take away from it too.”



Regardless, Marner and Eichel showed flashes of how lethal they can be during the 6-5 SO loss to the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-kings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kings</a>. Eichel finished the night with one goal and three assists, becoming the points leader in the NHL. Marner recorded two assists. Both Marner and Eichel missed their chances during the shootout round, though.

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NHL News: Jack Eichel delivers blunt reminder to Mitch Marner, Golden Knights after loss to Kings - Bolavip US

Eichel delivers blunt reminder to Marner, Golden Knights after loss to Kings

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