Kings sign Scott Laughton to three-year contract

Both Frank Seravalli and TSN’s Chris Johnston reported earlier on Wednesday that Laughton would sign with the Kings after testing free agency.

Laughton scored 13 goals and recorded seven assists for 20 points in 64 games with the Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs last season. Los Angeles acquired Laughton from Toronto for a third-round pick at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline last March.

The Kings also signed forward Jan Jenik to a one-year, two-way contract that will pay him $850,000 at the NHL level and $300,000 in the minors.

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Laughton, 32, was acquired by Toronto in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers ahead of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, with Toronto sending a conditional first-round pick in 2027, along with prospect Nikita Grebenkin, to Philadelphia in exchange for Laughton, as well as a fourth- and sixth-round pick.

Daily Faceoff managing editor Matt Larkin ranked Laughton No. 18 on his top 50 unrestricted free agents of 2026.

“Laughton found his game as a Leaf, particularly on the leadership side of things, this season, but they cashed him out as a pending UFA, dealing him to L.A.,” Larkin wrote. “He plays with a ton of energy, wins faceoffs, kills penalties and can chip in a double-digit goal total. He makes for a fine No. 3 center or an excellent No. 4.”

Laughton will be entering his 14th NHL season, spending the first 12 and change with Philadelphia. In 681 career games, the Oakville, Ont., native has 121 goals and 168 assists for 289 points in 745 career regular-season games with the Flyers, Kings and Leafs.