The Los Angeles Kings took to Twitter on Thursday morning to announce that they have signed defenseman Sean Durzi to a two-year, $3.4 million deal that will carry an average annual value of $1.7 million.
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Durzi, 23, excelled as a rookie on the Kings blue line last season, registering three goals and 27 points in just 64 outings. He was trusted plenty by head coach Todd McLellan, averaging nearly 20 minutes in ice time per game. Additionally, he suited up for all seven of his team’s playoff games against the Edmonton Oilers, scoring a goal and three points.
Durzi, who was originally drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second-round (52 overall) in the 2018 draft, was traded alongside Carl Grundstrom and a 2019 first-round draft pick in exchange for Jake Muzzin. Since joining the Kings organization, Durzi has seen his stock raise in a big way year by year, and figures to be a big part of their blue line moving forward.
Though he has played just one season, his improvement throughout his time in the Ontario Hockey League and American Hockey League suggests this deal will be a massive bargain, perhaps right from the get go. As per JFreshHockey’s analytical chart, he excels in the offensive zone, and in particular on the power play.
Assuming he is ready to go after shoulder surgery this offseason, Durzi is set to be part of a Kings blue line that performed exceptionally well in 2021-22. Heading into the season, almost no one had them as a playoff team, though they not only managed to do that, but did so despite being without Drew Doughty for a good chunk of the year. With him back in the fold, along with the big addition of Kevin Fiala up front, the Kings should be a good under the radar team once again in 2022-23.
Next: Tyler Motte Signs a One-Year Deal with Ottawa Senators
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