The Los Angeles Kings have announced that they re-signed forward Adrian Kempe to a three-year contract. Kempe´s new contract with the Kings is worth $2 million per season. Kempe was a pending restricted free agent ahead of the off-season. The Kings will count on their young left-winger after they finished in last place in the Western Conference this past season.
Los Angeles Kings Re-Sign Adrian Kempe
Adrian Kempe is a left-winger from Sweden. Los Angeles selected him as 29th overall in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft. Kempe signed his three-year entry-level deal with the Kings in 2016. In the 2016-17 season, Kempe collected two goals and four assists for six points in 25 games. During the 2017-18 season, Kempe played a much bigger role with the Kings, as he skated in 81 games during the regular season. In those 81 contests, Kempe connected for 16 goals and 21 assists for 37 points. He also played all four games in the first round of the playoffs.
During the past season, the soon to be 23-year-old winger recorded 12 goals and 16 assists for 28 points in 81 games. In his last two campaigns, Kempe has become a regular in the Kings lineup. Last season, he averaged 14:30 of the time on the ice, his career-best in that department. His CF% was at 51.6, meaning an improvement from the 2017-18 season, where he had a 48.1% CF%.
What This Means For The Future
Adrian Kempe wasn’t able to overcome his career-high in points from 2018, but his overall play improved. The Kings have a ton of young players and with this signing, they hope that the 22-year-old Swedish winger can lead the way. Kempe has found his regular place in the Kings lineup learning from veteran leaders as Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, and Jeff Carter.
After missing the playoffs in the past season, the Kings will hope to bounce back next year. Adrian Kempe will be part of that team led by new Kings Head coach Todd McLellan.
