RUMOR: Kings preparing for Connor McDavid

William Simoneau
RUMOR: Kings preparing for Connor McDavid
Credit: Getty Images

The Los Angeles Kings may well be preparing one of the biggest moves in recent NHL history.

By insisting on offering Artemi Panarin only a two-year contract, the Kings are primarily seeking to preserve flexibility under the salary cap in anticipation of the summer of 2028.

According to a tweet from journalist Greg Wyshynski, this strategy is clearly aimed at preparing a potential offer for Connor McDavid, should he become a free agent in two years.

This scenario inevitably brings to mind a defining moment in hockey history: Wayne Gretzky's transfer from the Oilers to the Kings in 1988. At the time, this move completely transformed the NHL and propelled hockey to the forefront in California.

More than 40 years later, Los Angeles could dream of recreating a similar shock by attracting the best player of his generation.

However, several questions remain. In two years, the Kings' roster will be older, with key veterans such as Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty nearing the end of their careers. This situation could force the organization to fundamentally rethink its structure and identity on the ice.

This reality could hurt the team's appeal to McDavid, whose main goal remains clear: to win the Stanley Cup. Above all, he will be looking for an organization that can offer him a real chance at a championship, not just a lucrative contract.

For this gamble to be credible, the Kings will need to make a successful generational transition by developing their young talent and building a competitive core. Without this, the space under the salary cap will not be enough to convince McDavid.

The next two seasons will therefore be decisive for Los Angeles. If the sports project is solid, the Kings could well find themselves at the heart of the biggest signing race of the decade, in a market where several teams will also be trying their luck.


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