LA Kings Sign Mats Zuccarello To Short-Term Deal
Per Chris Johnston of TSN, Mats Zuccarello is signing a one-year contract with the Kings worth $1 million plus bonuses.
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic first reported the move, which ends Zuccarello's seven-year tenure with the Minnesota Wild.
Mats Zuccarello's one-year contract in Los Angeles is worth $1M plus bonuses
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 1, 2026
Why the Fit Works
The 38-year-old winger is coming off a productive season despite injury, posting 54 points, including 15 goals and 39 assists, in 59 games while adding nine points in eight playoff contests.
His 82-game pace last season was roughly 75 points, and his playmaking ability made him a valued linemate for Kirill Kaprizov during their years together in Minnesota.
Zuccarello was squeezed out of Minnesota by the salary cap, with Kaprizov's massive extension kicking in and the Wild's roster crunch leaving no room for the veteran at his previous $4.125 million cap hit.
For the Kings, this is exactly the kind of low-cost, high-upside addition GM Ken Holland needed.
Los Angeles reached the playoffs but was an early exit, and Holland has been looking for meaningful additions at bargain prices.
At $1 million plus bonuses, Zuccarello is a potential 50-point option who could slot into the top nine and contribute on the power play, giving the Kings secondary scoring as they try to take the next step.
Zuccarello will turn 39 on Opening Night and is clearly chasing a Stanley Cup at this stage of his career, having made history in 2014 as the first Norwegian to skate in a Cup Final.
The Kings, fresh off a playoff berth and looking to contend in a tough Western Conference, offer him that chance.
