The Los Angeles Kings have signed centre Tyler Madden to a three-year, entry-level contract. The deal will take Madden through the 2022-23 season. The signing comes at a time when many teams are signing prospects during a period of uncertainty surrounding future operations. The news broke late Monday afternoon.
#LAKings sign Tyler Madden to a three-year entry-level deal.
— Brennan Klak (@nhlupdate) March 30, 2020
Kings Sign Tyler Madden
The Vancouver Canucks originally took Madden in the third round of the 2018 Draft. He was included in the trade that sent Tim Schaller and two picks to LA in exchange for Tyler Toffoli. Madden has been playing with the NCAA’s Northeastern University since 2018-19. He had a good 2019-20 with 19 goals and 37 points in 27 games before the college level cancelled the remainder of its games.
Madden rates as a very good skater. He uses his skating ability to move the puck and get to where the puck ends up on the ice. He can also score as indicated in his college numbers. Madden is touch undersized at just 5’11” but uses his frame well and acts as a pest when mixing things up with larger players. Getting into a professional weight room will help make Madden even more effective.
What to Expect from Madden
The Kings are just starting what could be a painful rebuild but they are building a great foundation. Madden will join one of the strongest farm systems in the NHL. He doesn’t have the pedigree of a first-round pick but he has several qualities that could help him reach hockey’s top league. He is also the son of a former NHL skater, centre John Madden. The elder Madden was also only 5’11” but played in almost 900 regular-season games, most of which came with the New Jersey Devils.
The younger Madden will play in the AHL for some time but could be a contributor for the Kings by the end of his entry-level deal. Teams do not know when they will get to play again so securing more depth through signings like this will happen while hockey is on hiatus.
Main Photo
