Unable to crack the talent-laden Red Wings and due to salary cap compliance issues, he was placed and eventually claimed off waivers on October 13, 2008, by the Los Angeles Kings. Posting an assist in his Kings' debut against the Carolina Hurricanes on October 17, 2008, he quickly became an important part of a young Kings defensive corps, especially early in the season due to the injury of Jack Johnson, playing on the power play and penalty-killing units. He finished his breakthrough season leading the Kings' defence in scoring, with 34 assists and 38 points in 72 games, before finally succumbing to a herniated disc on April 1, 2009.