The loss of Kevin Fiala has put the LA Kings in a tough spot. The club will miss one of its leading scorers for the remainder of the season following an injury at the 2026 Olympics.
While replacing Fiala is no easy task, the Kings may have a potential solution hitting the trade market soon.
On Monday, news broke that the San Jose Sharks had placed veteran forward Jeff Skinner on waivers. The move, as initially reported by Frank Servalli, intends to terminate Skinner’s contract. When Skinner eventually clears waivers, he’ll become a UFA.
That situation means that Skinner could sign with any team, including the LA Kings. That’s good news for the club as signing Skinner as a depth piece won’t cost it anything beyond a contract. Instead of having to trade for another forward, the Kings can just pluck him from the free-agent market.
Skinner has six goals and 13 points in 32 games this season. While he’s not the prolific scorer he once was, Skinner could fit in well with the offensively-challenged LA Kings. With Artemi Panarin joining the team, Skinner won’t have to light up the scoreboard. He’ll just need to contribute offensively in any way he can.
Signing Skinner Shouldn’t Cost LA Kings Much
At this point, signing Skinner should cost the LA Kings more than a league-minimum deal. The best part is that the contract would be prorated for the remainder of the season. So, instead of costing the full $775K, the contract would only count for about a third against the cap.
That’s not a bad proposition for the LA Kings. They get an opportunity to add a decent forward without giving up a draft pick or player in a trade.
Plus, signing the 33-year-old to a one-year deal just to run out the season is a low-risk proposition. If things don’t work out, Skinner will become a free agent again at the end of the season.
At that point, he could once again sign with another team looking for some veteran depth help. However, things could change if things do work out.
Skinner Could Stay in Tinsel Town Beyond this season
Assuming that Skinner becomes a good fit with the LA Kings, that situation could lead to an engagement beyond this season. The club could look into signing Skinner to another one-year deal or potentially something longer, like a two-year pact.
At this point in his career, the former first-round pick shouldn’t demand a major commitment. If anything, he’s looking to prove he still belongs in the NHL. That’s why Skinner could be just the depth piece the LA Kings need amid the loss of Fiala.
It remains unclear whether Skinner might already have another team in mind. So, going through the process of contract termination might just be a formality. Skinner could agree to a deal with any club, including the Kings, but it won’t become official until rosters unfreeze on February 23.
In the meantime, Skinner and his representation can agree to a handshake deal with any team they choose.
LA Kings Could Find Replacement for Fiala Soon