HIGHLIGHTS
- Kevin Fiala is done for the year after surgery on Saturday
- The Kings star suffered a season-ending injury at the Olympics
- Fiala, who is playing for Switzerland, was stretchered off the ice vs Canada
Los Angeles Kings star Kevin Fiala had to be stretchered off the ice in Switzerland’s 5-1 defeat to Canada on Friday, and it appears he’s now done for the year.
Fiala, who is one of the Kings’ top players, is having season-ending surgery on Saturday.
Via Elliotte Friedman:
Fiala suffered the injury on this hit from Tom Wilson:
Brutal news for Switzerland, Fiala, and the Kings. The franchise just went out and traded for Artemi Panarin to increase their playoff chances, but losing Fiala will hurt immensely. Before the Olympic break began, the 29-year-old collected 40 points, scoring 18 goals and tallying 22 assists.
As Friedman mentioned, there’s no clarity on the exact injury right now. However, by the looks of the hit, it could be a knee or hip injury. Fiala was unable to get up off the ice after colliding with Wilson.
Fiala has posted 60+ points for the Kings in four straight seasons, and he was on track to surpass that number once again in 2025-26. Injuries like this are exactly what NHL clubs fear with an international break in the middle of the season, and unfortunately, the Kings are the first team to be dealt a devastating blow.
LA currently sits in fifth place in the Pacific Division with a 23-19-14 record. The Kings entered the Olympic break in the midst of a three-game losing skid. They’re currently outside of the playoff picture, and losing a top-six forward is a worst-case scenario. Fiala also just scored a career-best 35 goals in 2024-25.
We’ll provide updates on the nature of Fiala’s injury as they become available. The Kings could very well go out and acquire another offensive playmaker by the March 6 trade deadline, given Fiala’s absence.
Only time will tell.
