#LAKings Kings, forward Adrian Kempe agree to four-year extension (Daily News)
The Kings and forward Adrian Kempe have agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $22 million, the team announced Sunday.
Kempe, 25, led the club in goals last season with 35, which tied with Anze Kopitar and Alexander Frolov for highest total in a single season by a Kings player since Ziggy Palffy potted 37 in 2002-3. It was Kempes fifth full campaign with the Kings after being selected 29th overall in 2014. His previous career high for goals had been 16. He also set career highs in points (54 with a prior best of 37) as well as hits, blocks, takeaways, power-play points, even-strength points, shorthanded goals, game-winning goals, shooting percentage, time on ice and shots on goal. He also paced the Kings in postseason scoring with six points in seven contests.
General Manager Rob Blake had spoken publicly twice since the Kings were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs first round. Both times he emphasized that Kempes extension was the teams top priority, as Kempe could otherwise have become a restricted free agent with arbitration eligibility on July 13 had the Kings.
Kempes extension is decidedly shorter and less lucrative than that of another restricted free agent to-be and breakout player turned cornerstone signing for the Kings, forward Kevin Fiala. Fialas statistical progression may have been more linear and his point total (85) higher, but he still saw an abrupt rise in production last season. That prompted the Kings to dole out a seven-year deal worth more than $55 million after they acquired Fiala in a trade with the Minnesota Wild, giving up a first-round draft pick and prospect defenseman Brock Faber in the process.
Previously used as both a center and a wing, as well as an entry specialist who could move all around the offensive zone on power plays, Kempe found a home last year on the right wing of Kopitar. Fiala is expected to complete the Kings top trio next season.
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A top line with the sort of scoring prowess that Kopitar, Kempe and Fiala could bring to the Kings has boded well for the organization.
In 2014, Kopitar was flanked by Marian Gaborik and Dustin Brown, allowing them to knock off the defending champion Chicago Blackhawks and reclaim the Stanley Cup, which the Kings had won in 2012 without Gaborik.
A broad mix of players skated alongside Wayne Gretzky in the late 80s and early 90s. Tony Granato and Tomas Sandstrom flourished on Gretzkys wings, as did hall of famers Jari Kurri and Luc Robitaille. That period included the Kings first berth in the Stanley Cup Final, in 1993.
Though they didnt reach the same level of team success, the Triple Crown Line of Marcel Dionne, Dave Taylor and Charlie Simmer remains the enduring symbol of the franchises early years and two members of the line saw their numbers raised to the rafters.
With a jumpstart to their rebuild last season, the acquisition of Fiala and security for Kempe, the Kings are hoping to write the next notable chapter in their franchises history.
https://www.dailynews.com/2022/07/10...ear-extension/
Kempe, 25, led the club in goals last season with 35, which tied with Anze Kopitar and Alexander Frolov for highest total in a single season by a Kings player since Ziggy Palffy potted 37 in 2002-3. It was Kempes fifth full campaign with the Kings after being selected 29th overall in 2014. His previous career high for goals had been 16. He also set career highs in points (54 with a prior best of 37) as well as hits, blocks, takeaways, power-play points, even-strength points, shorthanded goals, game-winning goals, shooting percentage, time on ice and shots on goal. He also paced the Kings in postseason scoring with six points in seven contests.
General Manager Rob Blake had spoken publicly twice since the Kings were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs first round. Both times he emphasized that Kempes extension was the teams top priority, as Kempe could otherwise have become a restricted free agent with arbitration eligibility on July 13 had the Kings.
Kempes extension is decidedly shorter and less lucrative than that of another restricted free agent to-be and breakout player turned cornerstone signing for the Kings, forward Kevin Fiala. Fialas statistical progression may have been more linear and his point total (85) higher, but he still saw an abrupt rise in production last season. That prompted the Kings to dole out a seven-year deal worth more than $55 million after they acquired Fiala in a trade with the Minnesota Wild, giving up a first-round draft pick and prospect defenseman Brock Faber in the process.
Previously used as both a center and a wing, as well as an entry specialist who could move all around the offensive zone on power plays, Kempe found a home last year on the right wing of Kopitar. Fiala is expected to complete the Kings top trio next season.
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Kevin Fiala, Kings ready to take next step together
A top line with the sort of scoring prowess that Kopitar, Kempe and Fiala could bring to the Kings has boded well for the organization.
In 2014, Kopitar was flanked by Marian Gaborik and Dustin Brown, allowing them to knock off the defending champion Chicago Blackhawks and reclaim the Stanley Cup, which the Kings had won in 2012 without Gaborik.
A broad mix of players skated alongside Wayne Gretzky in the late 80s and early 90s. Tony Granato and Tomas Sandstrom flourished on Gretzkys wings, as did hall of famers Jari Kurri and Luc Robitaille. That period included the Kings first berth in the Stanley Cup Final, in 1993.
Though they didnt reach the same level of team success, the Triple Crown Line of Marcel Dionne, Dave Taylor and Charlie Simmer remains the enduring symbol of the franchises early years and two members of the line saw their numbers raised to the rafters.
With a jumpstart to their rebuild last season, the acquisition of Fiala and security for Kempe, the Kings are hoping to write the next notable chapter in their franchises history.
https://www.dailynews.com/2022/07/10...ear-extension/