Kings Come Back to the Table With Top Pending UFA

According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Los Angeles Kings and pending UFA forward Adrian Kempe are coming back to the negotiating table in the hopes that an extension can be worked out to keep Kempe in LA long term.

Pagnotta writes, “the grind continues,” and adds, “nothing was close going into the weekend.”

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During his weekly appearance on “The Morning Skate” on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio, Pagnotta confirmed that contract discussions picked up again last week. It is believed that Kempe is seeking an eight-year extension worth somewhere in the $11 million to $12 million per season. Previous reports noted that the Kings started with offers significantly lower, but they have come around and are believed to have upped their numbers. There is still a way to go.

Part of the delay might be in the structure of the new contract. Between that and the salary, the Kings are not where Kempe and his agent expect them to be.

Will The Kings Get To Kempe’s Number?

The salary cap will jump to around $104 million next season, and the Kings have $33.725 million in cap space. There should be no reason Kempe’s contract won’t fit, unless the Kings are sold on the idea of investing that much in him and might prefer to take a swing at a bigger fish. Who that might be isn’t clear.

The Kings may want to make that decision. They have several pending unrestricted free agents, and two key restricted free agents in centre Samuel Helenius and defenceman Brandt Clarke. Kempe appears the be the domino that has to fall first.

In 16 games so far this season, Kempe leads the Kings in scoring with 17 points (six goals, 11 assists).

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