Artemi Panarin's jersey number saga in Los Angeles took an unexpected turn when the veteran winger briefly wore No. 72 after being traded to the Kings. The number change became necessary when teammate Corey Perry already wore Panarin's preferred No. 10 jersey. Adding to the complication, Kings mascot Bailey also wears No. 72, with the team's playful explanation being that "it's always 72 degrees in Los Angeles."

This led to a unique jersey swap where Panarin adopted No. 72 while Bailey received a Rolex watch. The arrangement proved short-lived as Perry was later traded to Tampa Bay, freeing up No. 10 for Panarin to reclaim. The Kings celebrated this brief overlap with a social media tribute, posting photos of Panarin's No. 72 jersey alongside Bailey's.

Since joining the Kings, Panarin has contributed a goal and five assists in his first six games. The jersey number drama adds an interesting footnote to his transition to Los Angeles, showcasing the team's playful approach to what could have been a simple administrative change.