The 29-year-old Kempe was set to hit unrestricted free agency at the end of the 2025-26 season as he played out the final campaign of a four-year, $22-million contract that he signed in 2022.
Instead, the star winger will stay with the only franchise he’s ever known into his late-30s.
Kempe has six goals and 13 assists in 19 games with Los Angeles this season. The Kings currently sit atop the Pacific Division with a 10-5-4 record and 24 points.
Los Angeles selected the Swedish forward with the 29th overall pick in the first round of the 2014 draft. Kempe then debuted with the team during the 2016-17 season and has been a consistent presence in the Kings’ lineup ever since.
Over 10 years in L.A., Kempe has 200 goals and 420 points in 649 games. He has emerged as one of the NHL’s top scorers over the past five seasons, with 145 goals since 2021-22 — the 21st most in hockey.
Kempe has also helped the Kings make the playoffs in each of the last four years, but Los Angeles has been ousted by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round during each of those post-season trips.
The six-foot-two winger will now get the opportunity to climb the Kings’ franchise ranks. He already places 10th on the franchise’s all-time goals list and seventh in game-winning goals.
Kempe has also continued to represent Sweden internationally. He helped his country win a gold medal in the 2018 World Hockey Championship and sported the Tre Kronor during February’s 4 Nations Face-Off. Kempe was one of the first six players named to Sweden’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
