The Los Angeles Kings returned to the ice for their first team practice since their 4-1 loss in Vegas on February 5, marking a critical step forward as they resume play following the Olympic break. On February 18, Artemi Panarin participated in practice wearing the Kings jersey for the first time, bringing renewed optimism to the roster as the team prepares to integrate their new star forward. While not a full team session due to four players still competing in Milan at the 2026 Winter Olympics, the inclusion of Panarin, number 72, on the ice signaled a potential boost for the Kings lineup heading into the stretch run of the season.
Team Lineup and Practice Details at Toyota Sports Performance Center
At the Kings’ practice held at the Toyota Sports Performance Center, a total of 20 players took to the ice, including 12 forwards, six defensemen, and two goaltenders. The forward lines showcased a mix of established players alongside new combinations:
Byfield – Kopitar – Moore
Panarin – Laferriere – Ward
Kuzmenko – Turcotte – Perry
Foegele – Helenius – Malott
On defense, the pairs were aligned as Anderson – Moverare, Edmundson – Clarke, and Dumoulin – Ceci. The goaltenders participating were Forsberg and recalled Phoenix Copley.
Although Adrian Kempe remains sidelined, Taylor Ward temporarily filled his lineup spot. Kings assistant coach Jim Hiller suggested that Panarin’s ideal fit would eventually be alongside Kempe and Alex Laferriere, who has recently transitioned successfully to center. This three-man line is expected to be a primary focus, given their complementary playing styles and existing chemistry between Kempe and Laferriere.
Fitting Panarin Into the Kings’ Offensive Framework
Hiller elaborated on discussions with Panarin about his preferred positioning, explaining that Panarin, a right-shot forward who plays left wing, favors having an off-hand winger on the right side. Kempe’s style as a left-shot right winger fits perfectly with that preference. Furthermore, Laferriere as a right-shot center facilitates easier forehand passes toward Panarin on his left wing, optimizing puck handling and playmaking opportunities for the trio.
Regarding these strategic alignments, Hiller said,
“I know what he likes……he likes a left-hand shot playing his off-side, he makes a lot of cross-ice passes, I understood that. The conversation was an easy one. Then, I looked at what teammates probably fit him best and as it turns out, Kempe is an off-handed shooter that plays on his off side. Seems to be, at least, pretty natural and we’ll see how the chemistry goes.” — Jim Hiller, Kings Assistant Coach
On choosing Laferriere as the center on this line, Hiller noted,
“Laf is a right shot and on your forehand, it’s an easier pass, so as a right shot, it’s most natural to pass it to your left, Panarin is going to be on his left, so that is part of the equation. I thought, actually, they had some chemistry today already, I think it looks to be pretty easy to have chemistry with Panarin. He makes a lot of good offensive plays, they had some pretty good plays going.” — Jim Hiller, Kings Assistant Coach
Laferriere himself confirmed optimism about the line’s potential synergy, highlighting Panarin’s puck possession skills and playmaking abilities. Laferriere described his own role as one focused on net presence and creating space, regardless of puck control, which complements Panarin’s style effectively.
Injury Updates and Roster Changes Post-Break
The Kings are managing several injury situations as they return to practice. Notably, defenseman Mikey Anderson and forward Alex Turcotte were both on the ice, having recently recovered from upper-body injuries. Turcotte has missed six games, while Anderson sat out the past two due to an injury sustained in Carolina on February 1. Both players remain on injured reserve but are nearing full return to game readiness.
When asked about the overall health of the team after the break, Hiller said,
“We don’t disclose everything that’s going on, but I would say healthier. I think it probably looks like some players that we have to play will have to play through some things, even after the break, guys still won’t be 100%. I think it’s trending [towards everyone being able to play coming out of the break].” — Jim Hiller, Kings Assistant Coach
Goaltending depth was bolstered by the recall of Phoenix Copley from the AHL’s Ontario Reign. With Darcy Kuemper still competing in Milan, the Kings currently have Anton Forsberg as their only goaltender on the NHL roster, making Copley’s presence at practice vital. Copley is expected to serve primarily as a backup for the Reign in upcoming games.
Additionally, forward Kevin Fiala was placed on the injured reserve list, sidelining him for the remainder of the regular season with a potential reevaluation before the playoffs. The Kings chose injured reserve over long-term injured reserve for now to maintain roster flexibility, especially given their current salary cap space.
Looking Ahead: Preparing for a Strong Finish to the Season
With five total practices scheduled between the return and their next game on February 25 against Vegas at home, the Kings are focusing on team integration and health management. Artemi Panarin’s presence on the ice represents a hopeful addition poised to elevate the offense alongside players like Alex Laferriere, Adrian Kempe upon his return, and veterans such as Anze Kopitar and quinton Byfield.
As the Kings continue these sessions, observers and fans alike will be eager to see how the new combinations translate into performance on game nights. The alignment between Panarin’s playmaking and the team’s existing cores could prove pivotal in the Kings’ pursuit of success this season.
First man on the ice for the @LAKings – #️⃣7️⃣2️⃣ Artemi Panarin 👑 pic.twitter.com/DlE8oXaMkd
— Zach Dooley (@DooleyLAK) February 18, 2026
