Kings Activate Kevin Fiala; Reassign Kenny Connors

Winger Kevin Fiala will play his first regular-season game in just over nine months. The Los Angeles Kings announced that Fiala has been activated from the injured reserve and will play tonight. In a corresponding roster move, Los Angeles assigned forward Kenny Connors to the Ontario Reign in the AHL.

Fiala’s return from injury has been well documented. On February 13th, 2026, while playing for Team Switzerland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Fiala fractured his left leg in multiple spots after falling awkwardly into the boards. He was taken off the ice on a stretcher and later underwent surgery, which cost him the rest of the 2025-26 season with the Kings. Before the injury, Fiala posted 18 goals and 40 points in 56 games, averaging 19:07 of ice time per game.

Despite the gruesome injury, many in the Kings organization believed that Fiala should be ready for training camp ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. Unfortunately, Fiala suffered a setback in his recovery, requiring a follow-up surgery. After his second surgery, Kings’ Manager of Editorial Content, Zach Dooley, reported that Los Angeles expected Fiala to return by November 1st.

Obviously, Fiala needed more time. Still, the Kings should be overjoyed to return arguably their best goal-scorer to the lineup. Throughout his four years in Los Angeles, Fiala has scored 105 goals and 245 points in 288 games, averaging 18:17 of ice time per game. The Kings could certainly use that kind of production.

Due to several injuries impacting the forward corps, Los Angeles has struggled at the start of the season. Not only are the Kings well outside the Western Conference playoff picture, but only five points separate them from last place in the league. Averaging 2.81 goals per game, Fiala should help them get closer to the middle of the pack in offensive production, assuming he’s fully healthy.

Meanwhile, Connors returns to the AHL after playing in three contests for Los Angeles. Playing in the bottom six, Connors registered one assist with a +1 rating, averaging 11:48 of ice time per game. The former fourth-round pick has scored one goal and seven points in 11 games with the Reign this season.