Mikey Anderson re-signs with the Los Angeles Kings on a one-year deal for $1 million. Kings general manager Rob Blake has been pleased enough with Mikey Andersen’s development. This reward for him will give him another season to show everyone he belongs on the team’s top six every night.
We have an extension to announce…🚨
Defenseman Mikey Anderson has been signed to a one-year deal!
— LA Kings (@LAKings) September 10, 2022
Mikey Anderson Signs One-Year Deal with Los Angeles
Anderson is heading into his third full season (fourth overall) in the NHL. Last season, as a 22-year-old, Anderson had a respectable average TOI of 20:07. He put up two goals and six assists for eight points in 57 contests. This was fairly aligned with his previous season totals of 1 goal, 10 assists, for 11 points in 54 games. He had a 49.3 Corsi For percentage last year. Moreover, many of his stats were down slightly, year-over-year, however, there is one that stands out. Quite impressively, his season total went from 66 in 2020-21 to a whopping 133. The Kings drafted Anderson 103rd overall in the 2017 entry draft. Anderson has played in 117 games as well as seven post-season matchups since that time.
What this Means for the Kings
Anderson may have had a much more productive season had his regular partner Drew Doughty not been available for over half the campaign due to injury. In the 36 games, they spent together, the two combined for a 56.9 percent expected goals share as per MONEYPUCK, which ranked third on the team in regular pairings for the full season. In addition, the Kings D was banged up last year. Veteran presence, Alexander Edler, also missed significant time last year.
If the top-end of the Kings’ blueline can remain healthy this season, that would really springboard their team. For instance, a full season for Anderson playing big minutes alongside Doughty, would do wonders for his career, and capitalizing on this bridge deal. If Anderson can continue his physical play from last year, Doughty may assist in rounding out the young d-man’s game overall. The Kings made some off-season signings on defence, such as Elder and Olli Matta, so if their D is reliable, the team might be in for big things, speaking of the hype with the Kevin Fiala signing.
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