sports
Kings Sign Haula, Zuccarello, Perry and Extend Laughton on July 1
The Los Angeles Kings added forward Erik Haula on a two-year contract and re-signed Scott Laughton to a three-year extension on July 1. The moves followed earlier signings of Mats Zuccarello and Corey Perry to one-year deals.
winnipegfreepress.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
The Los Angeles Kings signed forward Erik Haula to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.6 million on July 1. Moments later the team announced a three-year contract extension for forward Scott Laughton worth an average of $3.5 million per season. Earlier the same day the Kings had added veteran forwards Mats Zuccarello and Corey Perry on one-year contracts.
ESPN reported the sequence of moves as the team continued to build its forward group during the opening day of free agency. Haula, 35, recorded 14 goals and 38 points in 2025-26 with the Nashville Predators. He also played for Team Finland at the Winter Olympics, finishing with three goals and six points in the bronze-medal victory over Slovakia.
His previous contract carried a $3.15 million salary-cap hit, and the 2026-27 season will mark his 14th in the NHL. Laughton, 31, was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2025-26 trade deadline. He finished the season with 13 goals and 20 points in 64 games split between Toronto and Los Angeles while averaging 15:46 of ice time with the Kings.
The team was swept in four games by the Colorado Avalanche in the playoffs, and Laughton was held scoreless in the series. The upcoming season will be his 14th in the league, leaving him 11 points short of 300 for his career.
