Kyle Garcia 
With training camp just around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next: Erik Haula!
Erik Haula
Birthdate: March 23, 1991
Birthplace: Pori, Finland
Height: 5’11
Weight: 191 lbs
Position: Center/Left wing
Shoots: Left
Draft: 7th round, 182nd overall, 2009 NHL Draft
2025-26 season
Erik Haula’s second season with the Nashville Predators was a tough one for himself and the team. In 81 games, the 35-year-old forward recorded 38 points (14 G, 24 A) and averaged 16:40 of ice time. One of the main issues with Haula last season was his penalty trouble. Haula was second on the team in penalty minutes and had a reputation for taking undisciplined and badly timed penalties. Haula also represented Finland at the Winter Olympics.
WHAT. A. PASS. 🤩
Erik Haula feeds Steven Stamkos in @Energizer OT and the @PredsNHL win their third straight! pic.twitter.com/mN348mpq06
— NHL (@NHL) December 24, 2025
ERIK HAULA WITH THE SHORTY, IT’S 2-0 FINLAND IN THE EARLY SECOND PERIOD 🚨 pic.twitter.com/YHSL3i6YvI
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 20, 2026
2026-27 outlook
Haula signed a two-year deal on the first day of free agency and will team up with fellow countryman Joel Armia (the two were teammates at the Olympics representing Finland). According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Kings were interested in Haula before pivoting to Scott Laughton at the trade deadline last March, so it makes sense the Kings were in on him in free agency.
Erik Haula 2 x $3.6M
Los Angeles
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2026
I’m curious to see how new head coach Peter Laviolette deploys Haula. It’s no secret the Kings aren’t deep down the middle, and I don’t believe Haula is a formidable second-line center in today’s game with his offensive production on a downward trend. If he is on the third line, then that is an okay option at 5v5 and penalty kill time.
ERIK HAULA SAVES A GOAL!! 😱 pic.twitter.com/EeeddRHAv6
— NHL (@NHL) March 22, 2026
The Kings don’t have a second-line center on the roster, so they may be forced to have Haula, Scott Laughton, or decide to run back Alex Laferriere (probably unlikely) as the 2C. So, it’s possible that there won’t be much offense from that spot from Haula or Laughton.
Let’s hope that Haula doesn’t commit unnecessary penalties the way he did in Nashville.
Featured image credit: Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire