Unveiled: The Surprising NHL Forward Rankings for 2025-26 That Could Shake Up the Entire League
L.A.’s forward group may not boast the most star power, but it’s very deep, and the top six has underrated upside.
The Kings’ first line, led by Kempe and Kopitar, was above-average last year, with those two driving a plus-25 goal differential at five-on-five. Kuzmenko was a perfect fit for them as a deadline acquisition — that trio controlled 56 percent of scoring chances and outscored opponents by a whopping 16-5 margin.
L.A. also found something special with Byfield and Fiala as a duo in the second half. Byfield scored 31 points in his last 32 games, while Fiala potted 19 goals in his final 33 games (a 47-goal pace); their underlying numbers were elite together. If that chemistry continues, Byfield will emerge as a star this season, and the Kings will have a true 1A/1B situation with their top-two lines.
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