Kings Star Player's Next Big Contract Could Shock L.A. and Tempt the Oilers
Photo credit: Los Angeles Times
It appears that Adrian Kempe, star of the Kings, wants a contract over $11 million per year, and insider David Pagnotta reports the Oilers are keeping tabs on this.
The Los Angeles Kings are in a progressively precarious situation when it comes to their contract situation, namely with star winger Adrian Kempe.
The team, along with Ken Holland's former Edmonton Oilers, may have to face the fact that Kempe's upcoming contract may be in the neighborhood of $11 million, says insider David Pagnotta.
That type of figure could necessitate some hard financial choices in Los Angeles, and has clubs like Edmonton quietly monitoring the situation.
Re Adrian Kempe: "The Kings and Ken Holland have to accept the fact that his contract's likely gonna be in the 11s; there are teams like Edmonton and others quasi lurking in the weeds just curious as to where this is gonna go."
- David Pagnotta
- David Pagnotta
Contract Negotiations With Another Top Young Player of the Kings Have Yet to Even Begin
Negotiations with the Kings and Kempe's camp have been underway since the offseason, but are currently on hold. Negotiations with young defenseman Brandt Clarke have not started yet.
Following enormous contracts inked by other young blueliners like Luke Hughes and Jackson LaCombe recently, Clarke's performance this season may play a significant role in whether the Kings push for a long-term agreement or a shorter bridge deal.
"Brandt Clarke is in an interesting little position," Pagnotta said. "I know there's so much attention being put towards the other guys that are expiring deals after entry-level, but both sides are kind of taking this slow.
"There were conversations in the off-season with (Kings GM) Ken Holland about where things are at with Clarke's future and then they spoke again at the start of the (training camp) and I think the consensus was, 'let's just take it slow, let's see where things are at, let's see how the season develops and then we'll get into negotiations.' I don't think they're against having a conversation in the middle of the season, I don't think that's a deterrent; the focus is just on the season - let's see how he continues to develop, let's see if he takes that game to the next level because I do anticipate them giving more responsibility to Brandt Clarke, but they view him as a huge piece of their future and we'll see kind of when they get serious about those conversations."
"There were conversations in the off-season with (Kings GM) Ken Holland about where things are at with Clarke's future and then they spoke again at the start of the (training camp) and I think the consensus was, 'let's just take it slow, let's see where things are at, let's see how the season develops and then we'll get into negotiations.' I don't think they're against having a conversation in the middle of the season, I don't think that's a deterrent; the focus is just on the season - let's see how he continues to develop, let's see if he takes that game to the next level because I do anticipate them giving more responsibility to Brandt Clarke, but they view him as a huge piece of their future and we'll see kind of when they get serious about those conversations."
The Kings, 1-2-1 to begin the year, already have roughly $70 million committed to next year's cap.
Despite the ceiling projected to jump to upwards of $108 million, accommodating significant extensions for both Kempe and Clarke will take some maneuvering.
As the figures rise and competing clubs circle with interest, Los Angeles must pull off a delicate balancing act: retain its core without shattering the financial model that has enabled it to compete.
What transpires with Kempe may establish the tone for how the Kings manage their roster for years to come.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 16 | 82 ANSWERS Kings Star Player's Next Big Contract Could Shock L.A. and Tempt the Oilers Will Adrian Kempe be a member of the Oilers one day? | ||
| Yes | 26 | 31.7 % |
| No | 56 | 68.3 % |
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